Racing


Jes A Spitfire Captures The $15,000 Marathon Stakes At Harrah’s Louisiana Downs
Jes A Spitfire (inside), under jockey Jose Rodriguez, holds off Rakin In The Jax, to win the $15,000 Marathon Stakes on Saturday at Louisiana Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Jes A Spitfire Captures The $15,000 Marathon Stakes At Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

BOSSIER CITY, LA—JANUARY 12, 2019—Jes A Spitfire scored her first career stakes today at Harrah's Louisiana Downs, taking the $15,000 Marathon Stakes, in front-running fashion. This was the 14th running of the 870-yard feature and attracted a solid field of distance specialists.

Owned by Vickie Davis and trained by her husband, Joe Davis, the 5-year-old daughter of Walk Thru Fire of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Delightful was bred in Indiana by Jaime H. Gomez. Stakes-placed last year in the Streakin La Jolla at Louisiana Downs, this was just her second start at 870 yards and first stakes win.

Breaking sharply from post position six under Jose Rodriguez, Jes A Spitfire led her seven rivals from gate to wire, dueling briefly in the stretch with defending champion Jw Who Dat and jockey Antonio Alberto. She repelled his bid, crossing the wire in a final time of :46.310, over a muddy track. She earned a 91 speed index.

"I told Jose to get her out in front," said Davis. "She's a long, lanky mare; I figured is she would get home. Everardo, Jose's (older) brother doesn't ride the hook, but Jose did a great job."

Jen Sokol, LAD Racing Office Manager, presents winning jockey Everado Rodriguez and trainer Joe Davis the Marathon Stakes trophy Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs. © Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Previously in Joe Davis' name ever since she made her debut at Indiana Grand in May, 2016, the mare is currently owned by Vickie Davis.

"She's in my wife's name because I had an offer to sell her, which did not set well as we raised this mare and brought her here from Indiana," explained Davis. "She's pretty special to Vickie!"

The mare is one of 27 horses stabled this meet by Joe Davis, who won last weekend's Harrah's Dash with Fast N Famous Eagle. Honored as 2018 leading owner at Louisiana Downs, Davis is happy to have year-round racing in Louisiana.

"It's been pretty decent," he said with a smile. "I'm not complaining!"

Sent off at odd of 3-1, Jes a Spitfire returned $8.40, $3.60 and $3.80 across the board. This was the sixth win from 22 starts for the chestnut mare. Davis reported she will run again in a 550-yard race and will point to the Virgil Bond Stakes, at 870 yards at Delta Downs.

Rakin In the Jax closed gamely under Luciano Duenez, to run second, finishing a neck behind the winner.

The Louisiana-bred son of Rakin In The Cash, picked up $3,000 for his effort. Trainer Jason Magnon conditions the 7-year-old multiple stakes-placed gelding for owner/breeder Angela Dowden. The 7-time winner has banked over $100,000. He is out of Alcohol And Ambiance by Panther Mountain.

Giovanni Barron's multiple stakes winner Jw Who Dat earned $1,650 for third. Eric Palacio trans the 7-year-old Agouti gelding out of Ew Comment by Heza Fast Man. J.W. Owens bred the $127,542 earner.

Mr Desert Streak, Zoomins Jewel, Dwaynes First Perry, Jessa Little Rusty and Agoutis Snowplow completed the field.

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About Harrah's Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. 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.