Kp Paintmeasymphony Wins the Mardi Gras Derby For A Slight Upset

Kp Paintmeasymphony, piloted by Arnulfo Gutierrez, wins the $102,452 Mardi Gras Derby by 1/2-length at Louisiana Downs on Friday.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 29, 2024–Trainer Roy Roberts and jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez team up to win both the Mardi Gras Oaks and Mardi Gras Derby Friday afternoon at Louisiana Downs. It was KP Paintmeasymphony who broke quickly on the outside, shooting right out of the gates for a driving finish to win the $102,452 Mardi Gras Derby by 1/2-length.

Gutierrez piloted Kp Paintmeasymphony to his first stakes victory in :19.925 seconds clocking a 97 speed index. The son of Paint Me Perry is now 2 and 0 for 2024 with four career wins and the 400-yard upset paid $19.80 on 9/1 odds.

The $46,103 winners share of the purse increases Kp Paintmeasymphony's earnings to $107,530. Owner Penny Meyers bred the three-year-old gelding out of Bittersweetsymphony by Heza Fast Dash in partnership with Ken Roberts.

"My heart is jumping out of my chest," said Meyers. "I liked our draw as he has run well from the outside and when he breaks well, there is no stopping this horse! He started his 2-year-old year here at Louisiana Downs; ran second in his Mardi Gras Futurity trial, but didn't qualify, but ran third in the Laddie trials. He might have won that if he hadn't lifted his head at the break. He just gets better every time; I am so happy for our team!"

The winning connections of Kp Paintmeasymphony accept the $103,452 Mardi Gras Derby at Louisiana Downs on Friday. © Ann Switalski Photography

Kp Paintmeasymphony placed third in the Loiusiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes [G2] and fifth in the Laddie Futurity [G2] in his freshman campaign. His team plans to enter the Delta Downs Derby next.

Meyers commented, "He's such a character, loves life, loves to race and keeps getting better every time. I am so happy for our team!"

Fastest qualifier from the trials Hoztile Takeover, with Victor Urieta Jr in the irons, was favored to win. The son of One Sweet Jess lead the pack out of the gates nearly to the wire but was caught late for second best.

Hoztile Takeover has lit the board nine of 12 starts with $242,586 in the bank. The five time stakes finalist is owned by Amanda St Amant and Luis Castellanos. Roland Frederick and Triple Lynn Farms bred Hoztile Takeover out of the Indentity Theft mare Ms Pilot Id.

Blood Aztec, guided by Jose Herbert, ran in third place from gate-to-wire. Owned by Dania Castellanos, the son of Apollitical Blood just broke his maiden in his trials to the Mardi Gras Derby and now has $56,060 in the bank.

Luis Castellanos bred Blood Aztec out of Jet Black Chiraq by Jet Black Patriot. Juan Diaz Jr trained both Hoztile Takeover and Blood Aztec.

Jw Corona Dressed, La Panther Blue, Tf Itsy Bitsy Jess, One Cool Corona, Heza Rip, Channing Prize and Hollywood Eagle round out the order of finish.

Additional reporting done by Martha Claussen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.