Apollitical Blood Gelding Fastest Qualifier In Five Trials For Louisiana Maiden Stakes

Ab Chalalo, under jockey Ali Rivera, raced to the fastest time from five trials contested today for the Louisiana Downs Maiden Stakes (not black type) at Louisiana Downs.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 10, 2023–Picking up his second consecutive win, Ab Chalalo raced to the top qualifying time from five trials contested today for the Louisiana Downs Maiden Stakes (not black type) at Louisiana Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to the Northwest Louisiana raceway to contest a 350 yard $105,000-est. final on Friday, March 24.  All starters today were 3-year-olds and Up who had not won a race as of January 5, 2023.

With a steady drive under jockey Ali Rivera, Ab Chalalo defeated The Perry Cartel by three-quarters while completing the 350 yards in :17.675 seconds. He earned a 97 speed index with a 5 mph tailwind.

Fernando Valdez saddled the son of leading sire Apollitical Blood to his first career win on February 11 at Louisiana Downs.

"He was really immature as a 2-year-old," said trainer Fernando Valdez. "After the trials at Evangeline, we gave him a break. After he broke his maiden here last month, I talked to my dad (owner Rosendo Valdez) about paying him into the Maiden Classic trials. Ali (Rivera) has been working horses for us on the farm and we think he is a good young rider. We were pleased that his time held up through the rest of the trials."

Owned by Rosendo Valdez, Ab Chalalo has banked $11,070 in nine career starts.   Rancho El Cabresto, Inc. bred the sorrel gelding in Louisiana from the Walk Thru Fire mare Chalalita.

Runner-up in the opening trial The Perry Cartel, a daughter of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel, held on to the second fastest time of :17.820 seconds, a 93 speed index for owner-trainer Leonel Hernandez. Also starting off a maiden win on January 19, jockey Rivera Hernandez rode the Texas-bred filly out of Cristata by Mr Jess Perry.

Filimon Saucedo bred the lightly raced filly who has one win and one second in four career starts

For the complete list of Louisiana Maiden Stakes (not black type) qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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 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.