News - Racing March  28, 2024

Gone Cartel Keeps His Win Streak Alive With A Victory In The $25,000 Mr Jess Perry


Gone Cartel (#7) out nods Im All Out (#9) and Tf Racee Runnaway(#10) in a blanket finish to the $30,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs.

© Hodges Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA--FEBRUARY 24, 2018--Harrah's Louisiana Downs hosted an action packed day of racing on Saturday, February 24. Despite inclement weather, a nice crowd was on hand to enjoy the racing action and Family Fun Day activities.

A field of ten accredited Louisiana-breds kicked off the card in the $25,000 Mr J-ess Perry Stakes, and Gone Cartel came flying to win his fourth race in a row. Trained by leading Louisiana Downs conditioner Vann Haywood, the 5-year-old son of Coronas Leaving You is owned by Tommy E. Rhodes.

Regular pilot Damian Martinez guided his charge to the wire of the 350-yard feature in :17.517 seconds, outdueling Im All Out by a nose. Tf Racee Runaway closed solidly from his far outside post to clinch third under Everardo Rodriguez. Each earned a speed index of 101.

"He had been training so well, I really felt he could step up today," said Haywood. "He didn't break as sharp as he could have, but left good enough and came home strong."

Haywood has been a fan of Gone Cartel since he first saw him in training as a 2-year-old.

The winning connections of Gone Cartel accept the 2018 Mr Jess Perry Stakes trophy Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs. © Hodges Photography
"I tried to buy him from Doug Weeks three years ago and was finally able to get it done last October," said Haywood. "Doug calls me after each win and is really happy that the horse is doing so well."

Bred by Chad Hart, from the Dashin Now mare Ms Big Dashin Now, Gone Cartel ($11.20) has now won eight of his 21 starts and shown his affinity for a muddy track with a record of four wins from six tries on the off going. With today's winner's check for $15,000, his career bankroll stands at $143,082.

Runner-up Im All Out is a son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash from the Streakin La Jolla mare Ms Big Dashin Now. Racing for owner Girl Goes Racing LLC and trained by leading AQHA champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr., the lightly raced 5-year-old has compiled a (13) 4-3-3 record. Ridden by jockey David Alvarez, Im All Out picked up $5,000 to increase his bankroll to $66,810. Gerald Libersat is the breeder.

The 2016 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) winner Tf Racee Runnaway earned $2,750 for third. Trainer Lanny Keith saddled the son of Sir Runaway Dash for owner Tate Farms. Bred by Teddy Berry, from the Streakin La Jolla mare Racee Rainbows, Tf Racee Runaway has earned $532,896.

Mps Shake Em in Style completed the superfecta, followed by Icanonlyemagine, Ww Showtime, Ldn Jessasaltydog, Scoopies Leaving You, One Hot Flame and Coronaoro.

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The stakes is named in honor of Mr Jess Perry, the acclaimed racehorse and stallion who passed away last November at the age of 25. Honored as AQHA Racing Champion 2-Year-Old and Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in 1994, he won 12 of his 21 career starts before setting new standards as a stallion. Mr Jess Perry sired 138 stakes winners and 156 stakes placed horses, including nine running champions. He remains one of only three Quarter Horse stallions to sire the racing earners of more than $52 million.

Kenneth L. Roberts Sr. Honored As LQHBA and AQHA Champion Trainer

A presentation took place in the Louisiana Downs winner's circle today following the third race to honor Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr., 2017 LQHBA and AQHA Racing Champion Trainer.

LQHBA members joined in the Louisiana Downs winner's circle Saturday afternoon to honor AQHA Racing Champion trainer Kenny Roberts, Sr.. © Hodges Photography
The popular horseman finished the year as the leading Quarter Horse trainer in North America with 116 wins and was ranked fourth in earnings with $2,847,909.

This was the first time Roberts was named AQHA Champion trainer and his stakes wins in Louisiana were pivotal to his award. He capped the year with an impressive victory by You Drive I Fly in the LQHBA Louisiana Million on December 16.

Tony Patterson, executive director of the LQHBA, is grateful to Roberts for his dedication to the state's racing program and annual yearling sale.

"Kenny is an extremely talented and dedicated horseman who is a tremendous ambassador for Louisiana Quarter Horse racing," said Patterson. "Several board members were on hand to congratulate Kenny and thank him for his continued support of our association and our efforts to run the top state-bred racing program in the country."

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About Harrah's Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. 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.


Courtesy Ses