News - Racing March  28, 2024

Ponte Trucha Springs The Upset In The $324,288 Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3) On Sunday


Ponte Trucha (#9), under jockey Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco, defeats Beaus First Dynasty (#8) in the Grade 3 $324,288 Louisiana Downs Futurity on Sunday.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—APRIL 3, 2022—The final championship of the 2022 Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse racing season was decided on Sunday  when a field of 2-year-olds vie in the $324,288 Louisiana Futurity (G3).

Longshot Ponte Trucha broke his maiden impressively as he left the starting gate flawlessly under jockey Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco and crossed the wire of the 300-yard final in :15.590 seconds, equally a 92 speed index.

Bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto Inc, the son of champion Duponte out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apollitical Dasher is owned by Armando Cortez and trained by Teddy L. Guy, Jr. The bay gelding qualified for the final off a second-place finish in his trial here on March 13.  

"We felt he ran well in his trial," said Guy. "But when we took him to the track for his work before the final, he was much more aggressive. That told us that he was set for a big effort. Today, he broke very well and finished well."

Guy is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and has been training for just four years. This was his first futurity win.

"To get to a final is pretty exciting, but winning my first was really great," he stated.

Jennifer Sokol (left) presents the winning connections of Ponte Trucha the Louisiana Downs Futurity stakes trophy and blanket Sunday afternoon at Louisiana Downs.
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

An  $18,000 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale graduate, Ponte Trucha is from the family of Champion and leading sire Apollitical Blood and three-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty.

Also benefitting from a clean break was Francisco J. Garza’s Beaus First Dynasty. The filly by leading second crop-sire A Revenant moved forward following her runner-up effort in her debut. Ali Rivera had the return call and at odds of 27-1, finished ¾ of a length behind the winner.

Trainer Jose Sanchez, III was pleased with her performance this afternoon.

"She had the perfect break today," said Sanchez. "She was nervous in her trial but showed a lot of improvement today. She will make her next start at Sam Houston."

Sanchez won the 2019 edition with the gelding Trump My Record,  then called the Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity. The champion son of Apollitical Blood went on to win 13 wins from 16 starts, banking $979,068.

Hes No Average Bear completed the trifecta with Luciano Duenez riding for owner Eric Hinojosa. The colt by Hes Relentless won his trial and earned $32,439 for finishing third. Hinojosa  paid $19,000 at the TQHA Sale for the colt out of the Corona Cartel mare Nice Hustle.

Post time favorite Sunset Well Service Inc.’s homebred Muddy Watters filly Dakota Gurl ran fourth under jockey Bryan Candanosa. Hotamale was fifth, followed by SWS Twenty Three, JMG Apollitical Capo, Feature Five Bar and Jes An Angel.  Won My Heart flipped in the gate and was scratched.

Ponte Trucha, sent off at odds of 23-1, rewarded his supporters with a $47.60 win payout. His connections received a winner’s check in the amount of $145,930.  He will likely make his next start at Sam Houston Race Park, according to his trainer.

Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse Season Wraps on Wednesday

There are just three more days remaining in the 2022 Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet. Live racing will be contested Monday, April 4, Tuesday, April 5 and Wednesday, April 6. The leading owner, trainer and jockey of the meet will be honored on closing day.

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