Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News - Racing April 20, 2024

Desire Astoli Much The Best in Faubourg St. John Stakes

Undeterred by a torrential downpour, Desire Astoli with Donald Watson aboard pulls away to capture the The Faubourg St. John Stakes at Fair Grounds.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

NEW ORLEANS, LA—AUGUST 17, 2019—Gary Aber's Desire Astoli broke sharp and quickly cleared the field on the way to a four-length win in the $35,000 Faubourg St. John Stakes at Fair Grounds Racecourse on Saturday.

Ridden by jockey Donald Watson, Desire Astoli completed the 870 yards in :45.790 seconds, a 97 speed index over a sloppy course into a 10 mph crosswind. The $15,000 winners' purse boosted the filly's earnings total to $95,470.

Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr. conditions the 4-year-old daughter of champion sire Desirio. Aber bred the sorrel filly in Texas from Stoli mare Stoli Victory. She has compiled a (18) 7-1-1 record.

Dwaynes First Perry, picked up $7,000 for finishing second. James K Vance saddled the 7-year-old First Prize Perry gelding for himself and Teresa Vance. Everardo Rodriguez was aboard the Louisiana-bred from the Dashing Val mare Vals Sky High. The sorrel gelding has banked $106,145.

J.W. Owens homebred Jw Losin Control finished 1-¼ lengths back to earn $3,850 for third. Jamie Gonzalez trains the Strong Hope gelding out of Ew Comment by Heza Fast Man. Eddie Cox was riding.

Desire Astoli returned $7 to win, $4.80 to place and $3 to show. Dwaynes First Perry paid $7.60 and $3.40 and Jw Losin Corona returned $3.20 to show.

Louisiana Dressblues, Freakin Patriot Dash, Kw Cowboy and Fdd Aufluential completed the field. Agoutis Snowplow was scratched.

Further information on the Fair Ground Quarter Horse meet can be found on fgno.com.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.