Trio of Quarter Horse Stakes Kick Off Champions Day Card

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Contact: Joe Kristufek/Brian Nadeau

Notes Writer/Media Relations

Trio of Quarter Horse Stakes Kick Off Champions Day Card

Sheza Freighttrain T Sets Sights on Another Futurity Win in Quarter Horse Juvenile

Copy provided by Martha Claussen, who has served as publicity director at Sam Houston Race Park for ten years. She continues to be active in writing, fan education and Quarter Horse racing publicity in Louisiana, Texas, Indiana and other regions in North America.

New Orleans (December 10, 2020) – Ten restricted stakes for Louisiana-breds, the first three of which will be of the Quarter Horse variety, will be offered on Saturday’s 13-race card at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. First post will be at noon CT, one hour earlier than usual. Traditional 50-cent Pick Five wagers will be offered in races one and nine.

The $100,000 Juvenile (RG2), run at 350 yards, is always a highly competitive race for 2-year-olds who begin their year at Louisiana Downs, continue to Delta Downs, and complete the year at Evangeline Downs.

Two Futurity winners lead the field and merit top billing. Patrick Richardson’s Sheza Freighttrain T (post 2 at 7-5 on the morning line with Rolando Pina) has won four of her six starts this year for trainer Eric Long, including the $329,000 Lassie Futurity (RG2) at Delta Downs in July. There is upside for Rogelio Marquez Jr.’s more lightly raced Sir Louisiana Dash (post 10 at 10-1 with Raul Ramirez Jr.), who was victorious in the $358,000 Laddie Futurity (RG2) at Delta Downs in July for trainer Hector Alcala and should improve in his second start off the layoff.

Roland Frederick, Cory Mouton, and Trey Ellis’ Jess Sweet Time (post 6 at 8-1 with Juan F. Garcia Jr.) brings a two-race win streak into this feature and trainer Trey Ellis and Garcia, Jr. are firing on all cylinders this year. Oscar Moreno and Juan Galacia’s He B Swift (post 12 at 15-1 with Francisco Calderon) just missed at 400 yards and a good break from the far outside for this son of Freighttrain B could spice up the exotics.

Completing the Juvenile field from the rail out: Martin Trejo’s BP Fancy Girl (8-1 with Everardo Rodriguez); Tony Doughtie’s Tdz Shes A Runaway (post 3 at 30-1 with David Alvarez); Jose Oviedo’s Ought To Go Tee (post 4 at 6-1 with Luis Vivanco); Rojas Racing Stables LLC’s Tmf Rogue Runner (post 5 at 30-1 with Bobby Ransom); Omar Omar and Mauricio Tovar’s Apollitical Bye (post 7 at 20-1 with Leonardo Rodriguez); Jesus Longoria’s Sheza Zoomin Memory (post 8 at 30-1 with Ali Rivera); Douglas Traylor’s Ms Runaway Presence (post 9 at 8-1 with Noe Castaneda); and Jose Alfonso Ramos’ A Political Rose (post 11 at 8-1 with Luciano Duenez).

Mardi Gras Paint Takes on Eleven Rivals in Quarter Horse Derby

Next up are the 3-year-olds in the $100,000 Quarter Horse Derby (RG3) at 400 yards and once again, we have a terrific betting race. Jose Alfonso Ramos’ Mardi Gras Paint (post 2 at 5-1 with Raul Ramirez Jr.) won the richest Quarter Horse championship in Louisiana in 2019, the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1). The high-earner in the field with $488,375 has won only once in 2020 but could easily turn that around for trainer Miguel Rodriguez. OB Horses LLC’s Special Politico (post 9 at 4-1 with Luciano Duenez) has faced some tough company this year for trainer Miguel Rodriguez and had a game runner-up finish in the Delta Downs Derby (RG3) against the phenomenal Lifeinthefastlanes.

Jose Oviedo’s Jess U R Blue (post 6 at 7-2 with Luis Vivanco) captured the Mardi Gras at Louisiana Downs earlier this year for trainer Fernando Lopez and has won 4-of-7 starts at 400 yards, and while the nicely-bred gelding struggled in the slop in the Texas Classic Derby (G1) at Lone Star Park, he definitely has a shot. Adame Racing LLC’s Flash of Light (post 11 at 12-1) looks ready to take a step up after winning his last two for trainer Martin Trejo and will be ridden by LQHBA champion jockey Everardo Rodriguez, who has his two younger brothers Jose and Leo entered in far outside posts. How often do you see three brothers ride in the same race?

Completing the Derby field from the rail out: Bobbi Jo Randle, Darrell Williams, and Ray Robbins’ Good Timing Mann (20-1 with Arturo Alvarez); Egoizzta Partnership’s Hh Gailforce (post 3 at 8-1 with Luis F. Ruiz); R C Stables LLC’s Brileys Prize (post 4 at 12-1 with Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco); Mardonio Flores Jr.’s Apollitical Bug (post 5 at 6-1 with Noe Castaneda); Rogelio Marquez Jr.’s Patriot On Ice (post 7 at 20-1 with Rolando Cabrera); Pedro Barron’s Rlr Coronas Girl (post 8 at 20-1 with Juan C. Garcia); Armando Vasquez Rodriguez’s Painted By Perry (post 10 at 20-1 with Jose A. Rodriguez), 20-1; and Joseph Landreneau’s Jess Redwhiteandblue (post 12 at 6-1 with Leonardo Rodriguez).

Defending Champion Lightemupwithcharm Returns in Quarter Horse Classic

Our final Quarter Horse event—the $100,000 Classic (RG2)—is the “classic” test for Quarter Horses, as 440 yards measures a quarter of a mile. Saul Dorado’s defending champion Lightemupwithcharm (post 4 at 4-1 with Luciano Duenez) lit up the toteboard last year, and the 6-year-old son of Sizzlin Cartel is still going strong for trainer Miguel Rodriguez. Larry Boudreau’s Mpshinning (post 10 at 3-1 with Everardo Rodriguez) was a juvenile standout in 2018 and continues to rack up the wins for trainer Adrian Huitron. The son of All American Futurity champion Mr Piloto makes his first start at Fair Grounds but should fire well from his outside post.

Do you remember the monsoon conditions in 2018 on Louisiana Champions Day? One of the highlights of the day was the effortless victory by Jose Estrada Quarter Horses’ Eysa Jess Jumpn (post 2 at 5-1 with Bobby Ransom) in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (RG2). The diminutive filly is back in the Classic and takes on the boys, so don’t overlook this talented champion who has won 15-of-20 career starts.

Preston Jourdon owns and trains Tuckers Prize (post 9 at 6-1 with Raul Ramirez Jr.), who won the Louisiana Champions Day Derby last year, and while he’s not yet proven at 440 yards, he continues to be a very quality runner.

Completing the Classic field from the rail out: Jose Guzman’s Five Bar Jewel (12-1 with Victor M. Urieta Jr.); Pete Scarmardo’s Fabulously Black (post 3 at 12-1 with Juan F. Garcia Jr.); Ed Peters’ Barjaxs (post 5 at 8-1 with Donald Watson); Juan Antonio Carrillo Sr.’s Happie Happie Happie (post 6 at 8-1 with David Alvarez); Rancho Herradura LLC’s Achievopiloto (post 7 at 20-1 with Jose A. Rodriguez); and T M Ranch’s No Politics Here (post 8 at 6-1 with Noe Castaneda).

About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, LA, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 13 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 149th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 108th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 26, 2020 through March 28, 2021. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.

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