News - Racing March  29, 2024

Stratosphear Gets First Career Stakes Victory In $106,964 Mardi Gras Derby at Louisiana Downs


Stratospher, under jockey Noe Castaneda, winning the $106,964 Mardi Gras Derby Sunday afternoon at Louisiana Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 27, 2022—Stratosphear drifted out under jockey Noe Castaneda Sunday but still held sway to defeat Patriotic Trump by three-quarters in the $106,964 Mardi Gras Derby Sunday afternoon at Louisiana Downs.

"This is the fourth time I have been on the horse, so I know how he runs," Castaneda said after the race.  "He got out in front and I did everything to keep him from drifting in."

It was the first career stakes win for the 3-year-old son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess. Conditioned by trainer Jose Lopez, Stratosphear completed the 400 yards in :20.016 seconds, equaling a 92 speed index into a 6 mph headwind.

The winning connections of Stratosphear accept the Mardi Gras Derby stakes trophy Sunday afternoon at Louisiana Downs. © Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

"We have a nice horse and if he had a good break, we knew he had a shot," said Lopez. "This was the best break he has ever had, and really showed his potential."

Lopez said the horse will be pointed at the Delta Downs Derby this summer.

Guerras Racing Stables owns the Louisiana-bred gelding from the Corona Cartel mare Corona Starlette. Bred by Bobby D. Cox, Stratosphear has compiled a (10) 4-3-0 record and the $48,200 derby winner's purse today boosted his bankroll to $112,749.

Stratosphear was second in the $75,000 Louisiana Juvenile Stakes and fourth in the $382,415 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) last season.

In just his sixth career start the lightly raced Patriotic Trump earned $18,368 for his second-place effort. Trainer Trey Ellis sent out the son of multiple stakes sire Jet Black Patriot for owner-breeder Gene Cox.  

The sorrel gelding is from the Coronas Leaving You mare Princess Lil Bit. An earner of $31,383, he qualified for the Louisiana Juvenile last summer.

Rogelio Marquez Jr.'s homebred San Lorenzo Dash finished a nose back under jockey David Alvarez to earn $10,804 for third. Jesus M. Marquez trains the son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash from the One Famous Eagle mare San Lorenzo Eagle. He has banked $22,714 in seven starts.

Mr Fast Mallard, Quid Pro Quo, Guidrys Credit Card, Lett It Happen, He Aint Political and Jet Black Dash completed the field.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. 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