Tuckers Prize Gets First Stakes Win In $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Derby

Tuckers Prize (#10), with Damian Martinez aboard, winning the LA Champions Day QH Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course Saturday.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Under jockey Damian Martinez, Tuckers Prize completed the 400-yard course in a quick :20.149 clocking, equaling a speed index of 96. He entered the race off three consecutive wins in Starter Optional Claiming races at Evangeline Downs.

“He faced tough horses today, but came running at the end," Martinez said. "I told Preston that you can’t ride him the same way every race."

The winner of eight of 15 career starts races for owner-trainer Preston Jourdan and was bred by Kirby and Phillip Bruchhaus. A son of multiple stakes sire Fast Prize Dash from the Game Patriot mare Bb Secrets Game, Tuckers Prize earned $45,000 to bring his bankroll to $127,580.

“He’s a tremendous horse, but can be tough in the paddock," Jourdan said after the race. "Thankfully he was settled today."

Igottarampage drifted out badly in the 12 hole under jockey David Alvarez, but still managed to finish second and earn $17,000 for owner-breeder Dale Rogers and trainer Fructuoso Huitron. The homebred son of Whathaveigottado is out of the Strike The Cash mare Rampaging Cash. He has earned $87,573.

Bibbity Bobbity Blue, a daughter of leading sire Jess Louisiana Blue, was another nose back in the blanket finish to earn $10,000 for third. Noe Villatoro had the riding call aboard the brown filly for trainer Luis Martinez. Luciano Rodriguez owns 3-year-old from the Mr Eye Opener mare Eight Below 123. Jo Baya Foreman bred the $53,975 earner.

Corona Down Perry, Heza Bell Perry Jr, Soft On The Coronas, Rdd Easys Fast Dash, Lrh Mojo Rising, Runaways Attitude and June Blue completed the field. Im For Real and Mpshinning were both scratched.

Additional "Champions Day" reporting by Martha Claussen.