$107,000 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic, $25,000 Billy Montgomery Stakes Headline Friday LAD Card

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 20, 2023–An action packed week of quality Quarter Horse racing at Louisiana Downs gets underway on Tuesday (Mar 21) with stakes action beginning Friday.

The seven-race program will feature the final of the $107,000 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic and the $25,000 Billy Montgomery.

Post time for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be 1:35 pm (Central).

Fastest Qualifier Ab Chalalo Headlines the $107,000 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic

Five trials were contested on March 10 for the $107,000 Louisiana Downs Maiden Stakes and a quality group of 3-year-olds and upward, who were maidens as of January 5, will compete in the 350 yard final.

Jose O. Barron, who has been honored as leading owner at Louisiana Downs in 2019 and 2022, has a solid prospect in this year’s final in Shes True Blue.

Bred in Louisiana by Jo Baya Forman, the daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue out of the Oak Tree Special mare Unquestionable, was lightly raced last year. Barron claimed her for $12,500 on December 10 at Evangeline Downs and has been rewarded with three consecutive wins in 2023.

"We were looking for a maiden for this stakes," said Barron. "She had never been in for a tag, was bred well and we thought she could improve as a 3-year-old."

The astute claim rewarded Barron, trainer Xavier Scott and rider Rolando Cabrera as she broke her maiden on January 5, and followed that with an allowance score on February 9 before competing in trials for the Louisiana Maiden Classic. She won her trial in :17.940 seconds, setting the sixth-fastest qualifying time as she posted a career high speed index of 90.

"You never know what you may get when you claim a horse; we might have been a little lucky with this filly," added Barron. "She’s very sound and Rolando has done a good job for us. We enjoy running at Louisiana Downs and are hoping for another good race from her on Friday."

Ab Chalalo returns for owner Rosendo Valdez after posting the fastest qualifying time of :17.675 seconds under jockey Ali Rivera.

Trainer Fernando Valdez saw improvement in his runner as he tallied two victories this year.

"He was really immature as a 2-year-old," said Valdez. "After Evangeline, we gave him a break. After he broke his maiden here last month, I talked to my dad (owner Rosendo Valdez) about paying him into the Maiden Classic trials. Ali has been working horses for us on the farm and we think he is a good young rider."

Bred by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc., the son of Apollitical Blood is out of the Walk Thru Fire mare Chalalita. He has won two of his nine races and earned $11,070.

The Perry Cartel, a daughter of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel, finished second to Ab  Chalalo to secure the second fastest time of :17.820 seconds, for owner-trainer Leonel Hernandez.  Eleazar Hernandez will have the return call in the final aboard the filly bred by Filimon Saucedo.

The Louisiana Maiden Classic will run as race seven, with an approximate post time of 4:09 pm. Here is the field, from the rail, with riders and odds:

1. Jet Black Moon (Pedro Espinosa), 6-1
2. The Heroine (Victor Urieta, Jr), 4-1
3. Shes True Blue (Rolando Cabrera), 5-2
4. Raise Another Pint (Ubaldo Luna), 15-1
5. The Perry Cartel (Eleazar Hernandez), 10-1
6. Relentless Tres (Cipriano Vidana), 20-1
7. Po Luckie (Juan Garcia, Jr.), 10-1
8. Aj Taylorsyawlboss (Leonardo Rodriguez), 8-1
9. Ab Chalalo (Ali Rivera), 7-2
10. Blood N Coronas (Arturo Alvarez), 12-1

Full Field Set for the $25,00 Billy Montgomery Stakes

The fifth race on Friday’s program is the $25,000 Billy Montgomery for accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares, 4years old and upward. A field of ten will travel 330 yards with San Lorenzo Dash installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite.

Bred and owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr. the daughter of Heza Fast Dash has won six of her 16 starts and exits an allowance victory at Louisiana Downs on February 16. The 4-year-old has qualified for several stakes, running third in last year’s Mardi Gras Derby.

Jockey Rolando Cabrera has the return call for trainer Jesus Marquez and will break from post position four.

Other notables include Juan M. Montoya’s Jess Dash Fast, winner of the $30,000 Scoopies Leaving You last December at Evangeline Downs. Also sired by Heza Fast Dash, the consistent mare has hit the board in ten of her 11 career efforts. Trainer Roberto Madrigal will give a leg up to rider Jorge Garcia.

One Sweet Rogue brings a two-race win streak into the stakes for trainer Robert Meche. Veteran jockey Gilbert Ortiz has the return call aboard the 4-year-old mare by Heza Fast Rogue, who will make her 11th career start for owner Jennifer Walker.

Featured Prospect has won her last two starts for owner Mark Langford. The 5-year-old Prospect to the Top mare will be ridden by Eric Reyes and could cap a huge weekend for trainer Janessa Muniz, who has the fastest qualifier, Eyesa Just Pretty, in Saturday’s $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity.

World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales Live at Louisiana Downs on Friday

Fans are in for a treat on Friday, March 24 as the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales will make an appearance at Louisiana Downs.

Weather permitting, the Budweiser Hitch with horses and a Dalmatian sitting next to the driver will parade on the racetrack between the second and third races of the program. In the early days of brewing, dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.

The majestic equines will remain onsite for a meet and greet with fans of all ages. Each Clydesdale is carefully selected as they must be at least four years of age, stand approximately 18 hands, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, be bay in color, have four white legs, a blaze of white on the face, and a black mane and tail. 

They are known to have a gentle temperament as they delight their fans in their many appearances across the country. 

In addition, Louisiana Downs will offer $1 Budweiser draft beer on Friday.

Mardi Gras Handicapping Seminar Begins at Noon on Saturday, March 25

Louisiana Downs track announcer John McGary and regional racing publicist Martha Claussen will team up for a Mardi Gras handicapping seminar on Saturday, March 25 at noon.

The free event will be held in the Longshot Lounge, (formerly the Inside Rail) located on the first floor of the grandstand. McGary and Claussen will offer their selections for each of the races on the Saturday card and in-depth analysis of the Louisiana Downs Futurity, Mardi Gras Futurity. Mardi Gras Oaks and Mardi Gras Derby.

LQHBA Scholarship Drawings Set for Saturday, March 25

Breeding and racing are certainly top priorities for the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA), but one very important goal of the association is to promote education for Louisiana youth.  Since 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program has granted over $800,000 for students attending a higher education institution.  

Three students will win Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) Scholarships. For the second year in row, Louisiana Downs will generously contribute $3,000 to match the three LQHBA Scholarships.

Three drawings of $2,000, a total of $6,000 will be offered to Louisiana students wishing to further their education.  Scholarship entrants must be a Louisiana High School graduate or a Louisiana High School student graduating in 2023 planning to attend a higher education institution. Louisiana residents enrolled in a Louisiana College or University are also eligible.

Students can sign up at the LQHBA Scholarship Registration Table (located on the first floor), beginning at 11:00 am. Registration will close after the third race of the afternoon program and LQHBA board members, Louisiana Downs officials and special guests will conduct the drawings live in the winner’s circle after race four. Students must be present to win.

For more information on the LQHBA Scholarship Program and eligibility requirements, visit LQHBA.com or call the LQHBA office in Alexandria at (318) 487-9506. 

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.