Jes Winnin Cartel Surprises In Audubon Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course

Jes Winnin Cartel (#1) defeated Corona Blue Estrella (#9) in the $50,000 Audubon Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course.

© Hodges Photography

NEW ORLEANS, LA–AUGUST 17, 2024–A steady drive under jockey Rena Hernandez propelled Jes Winnin Cartel (14-1) to head victory over Corona Blue Estrella in the $50,000 Audubon Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course on Saturday.

Conditioned by trainer Noe Sanchez, Jes Winnin Cartel completed the 350 yards in 17.506 seconds, equaling a 95-speed index with a 4 mph crosswind. The daughter of multiple stakes sire Five Bar Cartel stepped back up in class off a first and second in Optional Claimers at Delta in her previous two outings.

San Juana Montano owns the Louisiana-bred 4-year-old out of Jes Winnin by Mr Jess Perry. She has compiled a 6-2-1 record from 18 starts, and the $30,000 Audubon winners' purse increased the filly's earnings to $121,945. Mars Racing and Robicheaux Ranch Inc. are the breeders.

Jes Winnin Cartel rewarded backers with payoffs of $14.60 to win, $9.40 to place, and $6 to show.

The winning connections of Jes Winnin Cartel accept the Audubon Stakes trophy.  © Hodges Photography

Runner-up Corona Blue Estrella is a graded stakes-winning daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue, owned by Lester Colomb, Jr. and Raymond Loup. Starting off a third-place effort in the Louisiana Classic Stakes(RG2) in her last start, Corona Blue Estrella earned $10,000 today. 

Trainer Kenneth Weeks named jockey Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. to ride the 3-year-old filly from the Corona Cartel mare Corona De Estrellas. She has earned $112,870.

Patty Wagon Train finished half-a-length back to earn $5,500 for third. Orlando Orozco trains the graded stakes-placed daughter of BP Wagon trainer for owner John Sargent. Martin Miller bred the 4-year-old from the Game Patriot mare Pattymegone. Martin Osuna was riding the $128,910 earner.

Completing the Audubon Stakes field were Apolitical Queen, Wild Train Fortune, Cool Ya Jets, Robiesdashingeagle, Bbs Mooninchick, and One Sweet Rogue.