First Prize Bourban Does Not Disappoint in the Treme Stakes

First Prize Bourban, under jockey Donald Watson, wins the restrcited Grade 3 Treme Stakes at Fair Grounds Saturday.

© Hodges Photography

This was the first stakes win for First Prize Bourban ($4.60), who is no stranger to tough company: the gelding has made an appearance in three restricted stakes races in his previous eight lifetime starts, most recently finishing second in the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3). First Prize Bourban is now undefeated in two starts at the Fair Grounds and is four for nine in his career.

First Prize Bourban is trained by Kenneth Roberts, Sr., who led the trainer standings at the most recent Quarter Horse meet at Delta Downs. Charles Boudreaux, Jr. owns the son of Coronas Leaving You. The gelding was bred by Weetona Stanley, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare First Prize Pearl.

Final time for the 350-yard race was 17.430; First Prize Bourban earned a 98 speed index.

Leading the late charge in the race for second was Bankin On Bux and Damian Martinez for trainer Vann Haywood and owner Tommy Rhodes. Bankin On Bux had won three of his last four starts prior to the Treme, with Martinez aboard for each win.

Bankin On Bux is a Zoomin for Bux gelding bred in Louisiana by Bernard and Nola Thornton and out of the First to Shine mare Shine On Morgan. He has only finished out of the money twice, and has earned over $96,000 in his 11 career starts.

Completing the trifecta in the Treme was Hez Kwik and jockey Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. Hez Kwik is trained by Eliseo Celestino for owner Richard Mendoza. Bred in Louisiana by Donald Kelly, Hez Kwik is a son of Heza Fast Dash and is out of Kwik Kash, by Bag.

Hez Kwik also appreciates the Fair Grounds surface; one of his three lifetime wins was in New Orleans last year in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes (RG2).

Completing the field were Royal Quick Patriot, Zooboo, Swinginstar, Lil Bro Big Streak, One Hot Flame, San Lorenzo Corona and Blue Eyed Cartel.