Racing


Second Down Leaving Impressive Winner Of $25,000 Billy Montgomery At Harrah’s Louisana Downs
Second Down Leaving (#10) holds off a late rally from Jr Taylors Runaway (#1) to win the $25,000 Billy Montgomery Stakes at Louisiana Downs.

© Lou Hodges Photography
Second Down Leaving Impressive Winner Of $25,000 Billy Montgomery At Harrah’s Louisana Downs

BOSSIER CITY, LA—JANUARY 20, 2018—The big chill earlier this week gave way to warmer temperatures for the January 20th card at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.

The $25,000 Billy Montgomery Stakes drew a field of ten accredited Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds going 350 yards. As expected the two favorites, Jrs Taylors Runnaway and Second Down Leaving both ran extremely well, with Second Down Leaving prevailing by a neck in a time of :17.834 seconds.

Trainer Javier Noel Contreras felt that his outside post position might be best for his runner and he was absolutely correct as he rallied strongly under Raul Ramirez, Jr.

Bred by Grant Farms, the son of Coronas Leaving You is owned by Eulalio Argote and Victor Alvarado. He ran second to Jrs Taylors Runnaway in the LQHBA Sale Futurity in September at Fair Grounds and finished his year with a game runner-up finish in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (G2) on December 9.

The winning connections of Second Down Leaving accept the Billy Montgomery Stakes trophy Saturday at Louisiana Downs. © Lou Hodges Photography
Jrs Taylors Runnaway broke swiftly from the rail under Floriberto Maldonado as the runner-up. Owned by Rosalio Espinosa and trained by Martin Trejo, the son of Sir Runaway Dash out No Matches Tonight by Royal Shake Em bred in Louisiana by Julien R Stevens III, had an exceptional second half of 2017. He won the $297,220 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) last September at Fair Grounds and finished third in the LQHBA Louisiana Million(RG1) on December 16.

Sent off as the second betting choice, Second Down Leaving paid $5.40 for the win. Fastdashing Lassie was third under David Alvarez and Jrs Natural Runaway completed the superfecta.

AQHA Racing Champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. saddled Fastdashing Lassie for owners Oscar Rohne and Keithon Roberts. Bred by Jumonville Farms and Burnett Ranch, the Heza Fast Dash filly is out of The Louisiana Lassie for Feature Mr Jess. She earned $2,750 to increase her bankroll to $27,340.

Mr Coco Pilota, Storm T, Kerrys Corona, Jess Toastem, Dolls Regal Doc and Games For Girls completed the field.

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.