News - Racing March  29, 2024

Shatto Stoli Bounces Off Billy Montgomery to Set Top Mark in Mardi Gras Derby Trials


Shatto Stoli, under jockey David Alvarez, setting the fastest qualifying time for the Mardi Gras Derby trial Sunday afternoon at Louisiana Downs.

© Bee Silva

BOSSIER CITY, LA—FEBRUARY 26, 2017—Despite getting bumped out of the gate Shatto Stoli rolled to a three-quarter length win and the fastest qualifying time for the $93,898 Mardi Gras Derby on Sunday at Louisiana Downs.

The 10 fastest state-bred 3-year-olds, from three trial races contested today, will return to the Bossier City racecourse on Saturday, March 18th to vie for a $42,254 payday while going 400 yards.

Coming off a win in the Billy Montgomery LAD Stakes on January 14th, Shatto Stoli completed the 400 yards in :19.926 seconds, into 15 mph headwind, to post the top qualifying time. Jockey David Alvarez had the riding assignment aboard the son of world champion sire Stoli.

Tf Eyesa Firefighter (#4), holds off No Politics Here (#3) and Zooboo (#5) in a blanket finish of the second trial.
© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography
Trainer Rosendo Valdez, Jr. conditions the sorrel gelding for owner Rosendo Valdez. Juan San Miguel Jr. bred Shatto Stoli from the Mr Jess Perry mare Scoopie Coochie. The multiple stakes winner has compiled a (12) 4-2-1 record and earned $65,925.

Tf Eyesa Firefighter posted a nose win in the second trial for owner La Herradura Racing LLC and trainer Erasmo Hernandez. Jockey J.R. Ramirez rode the son of Fighter On Fire to the second fastest time of :20.061 seconds.

Steve Tate bred the multiple stakes-placed son of Fighter On Fire from the Mr Eye Opener mare Eyes R Special. Third in the Billy Montgomery Stakes in his last start, Tf Eyesa Firefighter has earned $39,150.

La Mos Corona, under jockey, Juan Garcia, got the third fastest time with a second place effort to the fastest qualifier in the first trial.
© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography
Ivys Best Game got her first in in her first start this season in the final trial to post the sixth fastest time of :20.229 seconds. Eliseo Celestino saddled the Best Advice homebred for owners Earl and Rene Landry and Elsa Mendoza. Ridden by Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., Ivys Best Game broke her maiden in her final 2-year-old start at Evangeline Downs on November 30th. She is out of the Game Patriot mare Ferdies One Eyed.

Champion sire Coronas Leaving You dominated the trials with four qualifiers including La Mos Corona, 3rd fastest, Zoobbo, 5th fastest, Jrs Coronas Shadow 7th fastest and Coronaoro 9th fastest.

Other sires with qualifiers include Jess Louisiana Blue, Game Patriot and Tee Cos.

For the complete list of Mardi Gras Derby qualifiers, their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.


Courtesy Ses