Apolliticallady, under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr., setting the fastest time in the $156,500 Louisiana Maiden Classic (not black type) trials at Louisiana Downs Thursday.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–FEBRUARY 29, 2024–Apolliticalady raced to her first career win on Thursday while posting the fastest qualifying time for the Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic (not black type) at Louisiana Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from 3-year-old and up maidens at time of nomination who participated in 10 trial races today, will return to the Bossier City oval on Friday, March 23 to vie for the winner's share of a $156,500 purse going 350 yards.

Under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr., Apolliticalady cruised to a 1-1/4 length win in the sixth trial to post the fastest time of :17.833 seconds, a 95 speed index with a 10 mph crosswind.

Trainer Gilberto Rosales saddled the daughter of champion sire Apollitical Blood to her first win in eight starts for owner Rosendo Valdez. Lester Colomb Jr. bred the bay filly in Louisiana from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Duachais. She has earned $8,716.

C The Power, under jockey jockey Jorge Garcia, posting the second fastest time in trial 7 Thursday.
© Ann Switalski Photography

"This was her first race for our barn, but she has been doing everything right in the mornings," said Rosales. "Juan (Garcia Jr.) is an experienced rider and did a wonderful job."

The trainer added that his filly will get a few days off before she resumes training for the March 23 final.

Rosales is from Dallas, Texas, but runs all of his horses in Louisiana.  He won the 2022 Flying Breed Stakes at Delta with Domniksmiraclebaby.

C The Power raced to his second consecutive win, under jockey Jorge Garcia, to get the second fastest time of :17.852 seconds, also a 95 speed index. The son of multiple stakes sire Power Jam (TB) was a 1-1/2 length winner for owner Juan Montoya and trainer Kelly Avant.

Bred in Louisiana by Ken O'Brien, from the First Down Dash mare High Plains Prize, C The Power has compiled a (5) 2-0-1 record and banked $13,745. He broke his maiden at Louisiana Downs on February 8.

For a complete list of Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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.