From just his second career start, Peacemaker Return posted the fastest qualifying time in the Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic trials.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Stallionesearch

BOSSIER CITY, LA–FEBRUARY 24, 2026–From just his second career start, Peacemaker Return posted the fastest qualifying time in the Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic trials, winning the fourth trial by three-quarters of a length in :17.806 seconds for 350 yards over a fast track, posting a 92 speed index.

Ridden by Nestor Duran, the sorrel gelding broke from post nine and trailed early before unleashing a strong late rally to get up at the wire.

A Louisiana-bred 3-year-old son of Leading Sire Kj Mucho Macho Man, Peacemaker Return is out of Peace Fire, a Grade 1 stakes-winning daughter of Walk Thru Fire. Bred by Luis Alvarez/Childers Ranch, he is owned by Ruse Ranch LLC and trained by Jose A. Garcia. He is a $7,600 Heritage Place Champions of the Future Foal in Utero Online Sale graduate.

Creedmoor recorded the second-fastest time of the day when he dominated the second trial in :17.829 seconds, also posting a 92 speed index. The bay colt by Tarzanito broke sharply from post seven under Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr., and was “much the best,” drawing clear to win the second trial by two lengths. The colt has hit the board in two of his three career starts and is a $31,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate.

Bred in Louisiana by Robicheaux Ranch Inc., Creedmoor is out of the Corona Cartel mare Awe Contraire, a stakes placed runner and half sister to Cosabella ($23,832), a stakes winning mare in Mexico. His second dam is graded stakes winner Special Crys ($95,190), a half-sister to graded stakes winner and New Track Record setter Azoom ($738,136). Creedmor is owned and trained by Luis Daniel Garcia.

Death Valley turned in the third-fastest qualifying time, winning the seventh trial in :17.853 seconds, posting a 91 speed index. Ridden by Juan Pulido, the Favorite Cartel gelding rallied strongly from mid-pack to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

Bred in California by Steve D. Burns, DVM, Death Valley is out of Enjoy the Walk, a graded stakes winner by Walk Thru Fire. He is a full brother to Grade 1 stakes winner Chocolatito ($319,703) and a half-brother to stakes winners Stolen Lives ($43,703) and Eagles Soar ($24,390). Death Valley is owned by Dennis Dreier and trained by Jose A. Garcia. The gelding is a $165,000 Los Alamitos Equine Sale graduate.

The remaining order of qualifiers can be viewed HERE.

The $125,000-estimated Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic final is scheduled for March 21.

*******************

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.