Lightly Raced Jess Bein The Hero Scores First Stakes Win in Saturday's Swift at Louisiana Downs
© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography
Saddled by Miguel Rodriguez, Jess Bein The Hero completed the 350 yards in a quick :17.485 seconds, earning a 103 speed index with a 9 mph tailwind. The 4-year-old son of leading sire Valiant Hero entered the race off a second-place effort to multiple stakes winner Ivan James in the $156,780 Evangeline Downs Derby on December 17th. The EVD Derby is his only loss in four starts.
The black colt picked up $9,000 for owner Juan Martinez-Labastida, boosting his total earnings to $42,553. Curtis Crenwelge bred Jess Bein The Hero in Texas from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Braggin.
Mariachy King also earned his first black type with a second place effort for owners Eduardo Morales and Christine Morales. Eduardo also trains the 4-year-old Chief Corona gelding out of Lil Prairie Maid by American Champ (TB). Ridden by jockey Noe Castaneda, the sorrel gelding earned $3,000.
Stakes winner Specials Jess entered the Swift from an off-the-board performance in the Grade 1 $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park December 31. Last season the Hugo Morales owned son of multiple stakes sire Spit Curl Jess won the Boyd Morris Memorial Handicap at Remington Park and was placed in the Slm Big Daddy and Sam's Town Stakes.
Eusevio Huitron conditions with Cesar Gomez getting the riding call. A.C. Taylor bred Specials Jess in Oklahoma from the Make It Anywhere mare Special Anywhere. He picked up $1,650 to boost his earnings mark to $130,755.
Running Game Patriot, Hiclass Vodka, Apollitical Wave, One Dimple, First Prize Bonnie, Sorayas Seis and Fly By You completed the field.