Racing


Powerful Effort as Strong Guns Surprises In Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic
Damian Martinez pilots Strong Guns to victory in the Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Classic at Fair Grounds.

© Lou Hodges Photography
Powerful Effort as Strong Guns Surprises In Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic

NEW ORLEANS, LA—DECEMBER 9, 2017—Under jockey Damian Martinez, Strong Guns (12-1) came out blasting Saturday to defeat Jes A Fast Dasher by 1-¼ lengths in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic at Fair Grounds Race Course. Super Sonic Patriot finished a neck back in the show position.

A 5-year-old son of the stallion Strong Hope, Strong Guns rolled over the 440-yard surface rated 'Good' in :21.557 seconds, earning a 103-speed index with a 12-mph tailwind.

Trainer Robert Meche saddled the gelding to his eighth career win for owner Carlos Acuna. Bred by V W Racing from the First Down Jewel mare Gunslinger Girl, Strong Guns picked up $45,000 for the win to boost his career mark to $181,225.

"We are so proud of this horse and knew he was ready," Meche said following the race. "Today is the fifth anniversary of the passing of our son, Jess (he died in a training track accident). He will never be forgotten."

It was the second career stakes win for the Strong Guns, who also won the Lakeview Starter Stakes at the Fair Grounds in 2015.

Still looking for his first win of the 2017 season, graded stakes winner Jes A Fast Dasher finished second after getting bumped at the start. It was the fourth time this season he was been second in the restricted Grade 2 stakes.

Trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. conditions the Heza Fast Dash 5-year-old for owner/breeder Tony Doughtie. David Alvarez has the riding assignment. Jes A Fast Dasher has been the runner-up in the Mid-City Stakes(RG2), Vals Fortune(RG2) and Louisiana Classic Stakes(RG2) in 2017.

Bred from the multiple graded stakes winning Game Patriot mare Jes A Game, Jes A Fast Dasher has compiled a (21) 7-7-1 record and today's $17,000 in earnings pushes his career total to $493,459.

Super Sonic Patriot, bumped solidly at the start under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., picked up $10,000 for his third-place finish. Eliseo Celestino trains the Jet Black Patriot colt for owner Richard Mendoza. John Pomier bred the 4-year-old from the Thoroughbred mare Totally Selfish by Abaginone.

Strong Guns returned $25.20 to win, $12 to place and $7 to show. Jes A Fast Dasher paid $6.80 and $5 and Super Sonic Patriot returned $7.20 to show.

Heza Bell Perry, Heza Louisiana Dash, My Favorite Blue, Ww Showtime, Ldn Jessasaltydog and Absolute Shot completed the field.