Louisiana Downs Futurity

Chendo, a gelded son of the Coronas Leaving You stallion RC Me Leaving You racing for Carlos Gabriel Castro, won Saturday's 300-yard, $339,046 Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3) at Louisiana Downs.

Ridden by Eleazar Hernandez and sent to post as the 2-1 favorite, Chendo defeated Dollar Bill by a half of a length in :15.460 while posting a 96 speed index. Santiago Villaseca prepped the sorrel gelding.

Chendo banked the $152,571 share of the purse from his second win in as many starts. A $5,500 purchase by his owner at last year's Texas QHA Yearling Sale, the gelding was bred in Texas by RC Running Horses. Chendo is out of Ms Otoole, an unraced daughter of champion Stoli.

"I'm speechless right now," said Castro after the race. "We liked him in the sale and thought that he would be a good horse. He gave us a little trouble at first, but thanks to Francisco Ramirez, he turned out pretty good.

"Whenever you buy a horse, this is what you dream of," he added.

Chendo's earnings total $154,371, and he was the fastest qualifier from his one length win in the seven of 10 Louisiana Downs Futurity trials on March 2.

Whirlaway Party ran third, three-quarters of a length behind Chendo. San Lorenzita, Woopaa123, Kas Delivers Gi, Hardtotempt, Carteljess Pyw, Hock Tree Special, and Stabby Joe completed the order of finish.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA Racing on Twitter, "like" Q-Racing on Facebook, and visit www.aqha.com/racing.