Quid Pro Quo Surprises In Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Juvenile

Quid Pro Quo, under jockey Bobby Ransom, winning the $100,000 restricted Grade 2 Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Juvenile at Fairgrounds Race Course Saturday.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Quid Pro Quo lugged out late under jockey Bobby Ransom while clocking :17.583 seconds for the 350 yards, a 99 speed index into a 12 mph crosswind. It was the fourth win in seven starts for the sorrel gelding.

The $45,000 Champions Juvenile' winner's purse doubled Quid Pro Quo's earnings mark to $93,132 for the year. Trainer Josue Huitron sent out the sorrel gelding for owner Jeronimo Silva from Cullman, Alabama.

"With these young horses you never know, Huitron said after the race. "Today he ran big, and we were proud of him."

The 2-year-old was also a finalist in the restricted Grade 1 Lee Berwick Futurity at Delta Downs last summer.

"This is my first stakes win," Silva said after the race. "Maybe it’s beginners luck but will take it!"

Gerard Hebert bred Quid Pro Quo from Jess Tempting To Fly by Tempting Dash.

Quid Pro Quo rewarded backers with $31.40 to win, $16.40 to show and $8.40 to place.

Runner-up Gamefaceprize picked up $17,000 for his second-place effort. The Fast Prize Dash gelding bumped in at the start under jockey Ariel Rodriguez. Orlando Orozco trains the bay gelding for owner Miguel Hernandez.

Jack Willie bred Gamefaceprize from the Game Patriot mare Baby This Girls Game. A finalist in the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) in March, he has earned $70,097 in 10 starts this year.

Rosendo Valdez and Rosendo Valdez, Jr., winning owner and trainer of the Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Classic(RG2) in the opening race today, sent out post-time favorite Jess Sweet Enough to finish half-a-length back an earn $10,000 for third.

Everardo Rodriguez rode the One Sweet Jess gelding out of Devilwithabluedress by Corona Cartel. Jess Sweet Enough has banked $47,500 in eight starts.

Return The Queen, Kp Prospect Luna, Amazing Blood, Soft On The Freight, Tdz Royal Runaway, Jess Louisiana, Railroad Jimmy, Kk Sandra Patriot and Shesa Knockoutcartel completed the field.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.