AJ Cyclone surged to the front and proved best to win the $160,500 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic on March 21.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

BOSSIER, LA–MARCH 21, 2026– AJ Cyclone surged to the front and proved best to win the $160,500 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic on March 21, covering 350 yards in :17.472 seconds.

Ridden by Jorge Garcia for owner Dennis Dreier and trainer Jose Garcia, the gelding drifted out slightly but held firm to defeat Ivorys Cartel by a 1/2-length, while Tomacc closed late to finish third.

A $100,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate, AJ Cyclone was bred by Rancho El Cabresto. The gelding is sired by all-time leading sire Apollitical Jess, whose progeny have earned more than $82 million, and is out of Feature Jess Rockin ($293,742), a stakes winner and track record setter. He is a half-brother to champion Cartel Jess Rockin ($849,101).

The winning connections of Aj Cyclone accept the Louisiana Classic Maiden trophy at Louisiana Downs on Saturday.
© Ann Switalski Photography

The win was worth $64,200, boosting his bankroll to $209,014 with a record of 9-2-2-2. He was previously third in the Golden State Million Futurity (G1).

Runner-up Ivorys Cartel, the seventh-fastest qualifier, completed the course in :17.566 seconds. The gelding, a $163,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, is owned by Jaime Cardenas, trained by Josue Ponce, and was ridden by Leonardo Rodriguez.

Bred by Shawn Sigur, he is by champion sire Ivory James and out of the Favorite Cartel mare Cartels Legacy ($17,085), a Grade 1 finalist. The gelding now holds a record of 8-1-2-2 with earnings of $37,870.

Tomacc, the second-to-last qualifier, finished third after stopping the clock in :17.645 seconds. The gelding is a homebred for Noe Martinez Jr., trained by Ismael Solis-Guevara and ridden by Pedro Chavarria Espinosa.

A $10,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, he is sired by The Louisiana Cartel and out of the Sixarun mare Sixarun Bug ($28,627), a stakes placed runner. Tomacc now has a record of 3-1-0-1 with earnings of $19,050.

Death Valley finished fourth, followed by Eagles First Love, Peacemaker Return, Good Reason To Win, Poppin Off, and Six Pack In The Back. Jetblack Corona Chic was scratched at the gate.

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