BOSSIER CITY, LA—JANUARY 16, 2018—Racing will resume on Saturday (Jan. 20) at Louisiana Downs with this week’s feature, the $25,000 Billy Montgomery Stakes.

The stakes drew a competitive field of ten accredited Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds going 350 yards.

Jrs Taylors Runnaway drew the rail for owner Rosalio Espinosa and trainer Martin Trejo. The son of Sir Runaway Dash, bred in Louisiana by Julien R Stevens III, had an exceptional second half of 2017. He won the $297,220 LQHBA Sale Futurity last September at Fair Grounds and finished third in the LQHBA Louisiana Million on December 16.

The sorrel gelding completed his 2-year-old campaign with a record of four wins from seven starts and earnings of $246,589.

“He worked Monday morning and looks good,” said Trejo. “I am not worried about the inside post. He broke his maiden from post position two and has always been pretty smart in the gates.”

Second Down Leaving, owned by Eulalio Argote and Victor Alvarado, will break from the far outside post under Raul Ramirez, Jr. Bred by Grant Farms, the son of Coronas Leaving You ran second to Jrs Taylors Runnaway in the LQHBA Sale Futurity and finished his year with a game runner-up finish in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (G2) on December 9.

Javier Noel Contreras, who saddled Marathon Stakes winner Jw Who Dat, last Saturday, looks forward to a good effort from Second Down Leaving.

“He is maturing and is a very sound horse,” said Contreras. “I like the fact that he drew outside; that might work to our advantage.”

Here is the field, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

1. Jrs Taylors Runnaway (Floriberto Maldonado), 3-2
2. Jrs Natural Runaway, (Randy Edison), 12-1
3. Stormy T (Ubaldo Luna), 6-1
4. Jess Toastem (Luciano Duenez), 10-1
5. Fastdashing Lassie (David Alvarez), 12-1
6. Games for Girls (Damian Martinez), 20-1
7. Kerrys Corona (Alfonso Lujan), 8-1
8. Dolls Regal Doc (Juan Garcia), 20-1
9. Mr Coco Pilata (Donald Watson), 20-1
10. Second Down Leaving (Raul Ramirez, Jr.), 7-2

Saturday’s card will also feature four 350-yard trials for the $15,000-added-Louisiana Downs Maiden Stake (see related story). The ten fastest qualifiers will return on Saturday, February 10.

Louisiana Finalists Plentiful in AQHA Racing Champions Categories

The 2017 AQHA Racing Champion Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, January 17 at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City. Louisiana is well-represented in many of the categories with multiple nominations for Champion Distance Horse; Breeder; Owner; Trainer and Jockey. As previously reported in last week’s notes, Kenneth Roberts, Sr., Lanny Keith and Eusevio Huitron are finalists for Champion Trainer. Damian Martinez, David Alvarez, Everardo Rodriguez and John Hamilton are each listed as contenders for Champion Jockey.

The Racing Champions Ceremony will start at 6 p.m. and will also be aired live via a webcast at aqha.com/racing.

Louisiana Downs Dates and Post Times

The 2018 Quarter Horse racing season at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs got underway on Saturday, January 6. The 46-day meet includes 12 stakes highlighted by the first official championship for 2-year-olds, the $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity on March 17. Live racing will take place Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with a 1:00 p.m. (Central) post time and will continue through March 21.

To see a complete list of the stakes schedule, including trial dates, CLICK HERE.

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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.