Under jockey Guadalupe Lucio, Jr., Tac It Blood defeats won the $50,000 LQHBA Sale Juvenile at Fair Grounds Race Course Saturday.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

NEW ORLEANS, LA–SEPTEMBER 14, 2024–Tac It Blood, a $72,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate owned by Party Tyme Racing, won the $50,000 LQHBA Juvenile Stakes as the post-time favorite Saturday afternoon at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.

Tac It Blood drifted slightly under jockey Guadalupe Lucio, Jr., as he crossed the wire half-a-length ahead of the field. His 17.725 clocking for 350 yards equaled an 89-speed index with a six mph tailwind.

"At Delta, he was leaving the gate well, but not finishing," said rider Guadalupe Lucio, Jr. "I have great communication with Jose (trainer) and suggested that we take the blinkers off and see how he responds. It made a huge difference in his trial at Fair Grounds. He still broke well but could see the other horses and found another gear. This horse has a big future ahead."

Trainer Jose Espinosa saddled the son of champion sire Apollitical Blood to his fourth career win in seven starts this season. The $30,000 Juvenile winner's purse more than doubled his earnings to $53,900.

Also a finalist in the Louisiana Juvenile and the Laddie Juvenile this season, Tac It Blood was bred by Thomas Glenn Fontenot from the Tac It Like A Man mare Tac It Sassy.  Tac It Blood's next start could be the LQHBA Million Futurity(RG1) trials at Evangeline Downs.

Runner-up, Another Gold Heart, earned $10,000 for second. Trainer Barbara Alcantara named jockey Leonardo Rodriguez to ride the son of first-crop sire Gold Heart Eagle V for owner Jose Rodriguez. Jim and Natalie Montgomery bred the gray gelding from the Oak Tree Special mare Opemeanothercorona. Winless in seven starts, Another Gold Heart has earned $16,140.

Also winless, Super Chewy Mickey finished a neck to earn $10,000 for third. Paul Rigdon conditions the Louisiana homebred for owner-breeder Dr. Dudley Chewning. The chestnut gelding is out of Supers First Jewel by First Down Jewel. Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. had the riding call.

American Blood, Tc Scootin Aces, Jess Tie Your Shoes, Oak Hill Dasher, Eyesa Gonna Streak, and Dashing All In completed the field.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.