High N Mitey eyes payback

A clean break might enable High N Mitey to turn the tables on fastest qualifier Sheza Jess Love in Saturday s Grade 2, $249,272 Mardi Gras Quarter Horse Futurity at Louisiana Downs. The 300-yard race is restricted to 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana, and it will go as the 11th race on a card that also includes the $81,114 Mardi Gras Derby for Quarter Horses.

High N Mitey had some trouble at the start in his Feb. 16 trial for the Mardi Gras Futurity, but came rolling for second. He was beaten a head by wire-to-wire winner Sheza Jess Love, who set the fastest qualifying time for the finale when she won the 300-yard trial in 15.52 seconds.

High N Mitey was clocked in 15.54 seconds, and for the rematch draws a favorable outside post Saturday. He will break from the 9-hole, under Danny Lavergne. Kenneth Roberts, who operates one of the winningest stables in Louisiana, trains High N Mitey.

Sheza Jess Love will break from the rail, with trainer Frank Cavazos giving the mount to Jose Vega.

Illusions Dream and Unrealistic, who are coupled for owner Gerald Libersat and trainer Kevin Broussard, were both clear winners of their trials. Illusions Dream was a 1 3/4-length winner as the favorite, while Unrealistic won by two lengths, under Lavergne.