San Lorenzo Jet, ridden by David Alvarez, goes wireto-wire for the win in the $30,000 Winners Circle Church Stakes at Louisiana Downs on Thursday.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 28, 2024–San Lorenzo Jet became the quarter horse racing's newest millionaire Thursday afternoon after cruising to his victory in the $30,000 Winners Circle Church Stakes at Louisiana Downs.

Ridden by David Alvarez, San Lorenzo Jet lead the field of five from wire-to wire clocking a 102 speed index in :17.642 seconds. The post-time favorite's 350-yard victory paid $4.80 to win on 7/5 odds.

The Winners Circle Church Stakes is the third consecutive victory and first of the season for the son of Jet Black Patriot. Lighting the board nine of ten career starts, San Lorenzo Jet has won eight of them.

Trainer Jesus Marquez saddled the Louisiana-bred gelding for owner Rogelio Marquez, who now has five stakes wins under his belt, including the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity [G1], Lee Berwick Futurity [G1], Laddie Futurity [G2] and LQHBA Breeders Derby [G3]. The $18,000 winner's share of today's purse increased San Lorenzo Jet's lifetime earnings to $1,005,939.

The winning connections of San Lorenzo Jet accept the $30,000 Winners Circle Church Stakes at Louisiana Downs on Thursday. © Ann Switalski Photography

This is Marquez' second horse to become a millionaire, his first being San Lorenzo. He bought San Lorenzo Jet for $49,000 in the 2021 LQHBA Yearling Sale. Tim and Jennie Rogers of Rogers Farm bred the gray gelding out of Miss Delta Duck by Fly Jess Fly.

"I remember telling (his breeder) Jennie that this horse was going to take us on the ride of our lives and he still continues to do that!," added Marquez. "He's a very special horse and a gelding, so as long as he shows that he loves what he is doing, we will look for some open company options for him, maybe at Sam Houston."

One Sweet Rogue, piloted by Everardo Rodriguez, made a late surge for second best. The five-year-old daughter of Heza Fast Roguez has either earned blacktype or been a finalist in eight stakes races but has yet to win one.

Conditioned by Robert Meche, the four-time winner has $79,828 in the bank. One Sweet Rogue is bred in Louisiana by her owner Jennifer Walker out of the My Friend Max thoroughbred mare Sweet Pea Barbara.

Mr Crawfish, guided by Rene Hernandez, chased San Lorenzo Jet to the wire by was caught and placed third a head behind One Sweet Rogue. The five-year-old gelding trained by Brenda Foster has five career wins and $135,968 in earnings, including the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes [G2] in December of last year.

The son of Prospect To The Top was bred in Louisiana by Tjs Farms Inc out of Jls Crawfish Pie by The Crawfish. He is owned by Jose Guzman.

Turn The Eagle Lose and Corona Only finished the race in fourth and fifth respectively. Eyesa Just Pretty, Grand Feature and Tuckers Prize were scratched by their trainers.

Additional reporting done 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.