Blood Kiss, ridden by Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., wins the Louisiana Starter Stakes at Delta Downs on Saturday.

© Hodges Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA–JULY 12, 2025–Blood Kiss claimed her first career stakes victory Saturday night in the $40,000 Louisiana Starter Stakes at Delta Downs, a 300-yard dash for accredited Louisiana-bred Quarter Horses three years old and up.

Ridden by Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., the Blood Kiss surged from the gate, held in a steady lead despite drifting out, and crossed the wire in 15.545 seconds, recording a speed index of 87. The victory earned her $24,000, and she returned $8.00 to win at final odds of 3-1.

Owned by Alberto Salinas and trained by Jose Carrizales, Blood Kiss is a 3-year-old daughter of Apollitical Blood. Tonight’s effort brings her record to 3 wins and 2 seconds from 15 starts, with career earnings of $66,850.

The winning connections of Blood Kiss accept the Louisiana Starter Stakes trophy at Delta Downs on Saturday.
© Hodges Photography

At one point, she (Blood Kiss) had four second-place finishes in a row, all of them by a nose, said Carrizales. “She finally got it done today. Ricardo did a good job; he's one of the best riders out here. He has a lot of experience and does well with us. I am happy to have him on our team.”

Blood Kiss was bred in Louisiana by Steel Gang Quarter Horses LLC out of Sg Kiss Pretty Girls, by Kiss My Hocks. She was a $33,000 RNA at the 2023 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Close behind was Lrh Jess Shake It Up, who mounted a strong rally under jockey Noe Castaneda, finishing a head behind the winner. She has accumulated $81,155 in earnings, previously ran second in the Louisiana Champions Day Derby (G3), and was a finalist in the Billy Montgomery Stakes earlier this year.

The 4-year-old daughter of One Sweet Jess is trained by Francisco Campos Sr. and owned by Carlos Campos. Bred by Jetty & Donald Lemaire, Lrh Jess Shake It Up is out of Lrh Heartofanoak by Oak Tree Special.

Happy Our Special, at odds of 21-1, delivered a determined run to finish third, a half-length behind the runner-up. Trained by Gregory Williams for Quickquarter Racing, LLC, she was ridden by Rene Hernandez.

The 3-year-old filly by Paint Me Perry is out of Easter Speedster by Special Leader. Bred in Louisiana by Witter Farms, she was purchased for $4,000 at the 2023 LQHBA Yearling Sale and has now earned $28,317 from 11 career starts.

The remainder of the field finished as follows: Captain Eagle crossed fourth, followed by Coastal Tide in fifth. Loveyoutothemoon ran sixth, Shakin N My Boots took seventh, The Fiscal Flyer came in eighth, and Moonin N Zoomin rounded out the field in ninth.

Additional reporting was conducted by Martha Claussen.

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