Aj Cyclone Headlines Competitive Maiden Classic Trials At Louisiana Downs.

© William Zuazo

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

BOSSIER CITY, LA–FEBRUARY 19, 2026—The Tuesday afternoon program at Louisiana Downs features a compelling nine-race card highlighted by 95 maiden entrants chasing a berth in the estimated $125,000 Maiden Classic Finals. The 350-yard trials are open to three-year-olds and upward who were maidens as of December 1, 2025, with the ten fastest qualifiers earning a return trip for the March 21 championship.

The spotlight in the third trial heat shines squarely on Aj Cyclone, the 2-1 morning line favorite whose résumé stands out among his fellow maidens. Though still seeking his first victory, the three-year-old gelding closed out his juvenile campaign with a strong third-place finish in the Grade I Golden State Futurity, a million-dollar event that underscored his class. In several other outings, Aj Cyclone overcame troubled starts to finish on the board, compiling earnings of $141,814 for owner Dennis Dreier, who secured the gelding for $100,000 at the Heritage Place Sale.

Bred in Oklahoma by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc., Aj Cyclone is by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Feature Jess Rockin, a daughter of Feature Mr Jess. Trainer Jose A. Garcia has him drawn in post three with Juan Pulido named to ride, and a clean break could prove decisive in securing one of the coveted qualifying times.

The sixth trial introduces an intriguing wildcard in Dr Ruse, listed at 8-1 on the morning line. The Texas-bred gelding makes his career debut after flashing promise in the mornings, including a bullet work on May 6, 2025, at Ruidoso Downs. He has since returned with two additional sharp drills this year, suggesting readiness for the afternoon spotlight.

Dr Ruse is a son of Kiss My Hocks out of Charming Cartel by Corona Cartel and is a Texas homebred for Ruse Ranch, LLC. Garcia conditions the gelding from post two with Nestor Duran in the irons, hoping the first-time starter can translate morning speed into an eye-catching trial performance.

In the ninth and final heat, Kiss the Jewel enters as the 5-2 morning line favorite and looms as a major player. The Louisiana-bred filly has been a model of consistency, finishing off the board only once in nine career starts. In her 2026 debut, she delivered a game effort, missing graduation by just a head in a narrow runner-up finish.

Owned and bred by Teresa C. Bartlett, Kiss the Jewel is by San Lorenzo out of The River Shannon, by Game Patriot. Trainer Salvador G. Flores will send her from post five with Lucas Constantin aboard, seeking a breakthrough victory and, more importantly, a fast enough clocking to secure a spot in the finals.

With ninety-five talented maidens sprinting 350 yards across nine heats, Tuesday’s program promises high-speed drama from start to finish. First post is set for 12:45 p.m. at Louisiana Downs, where every fraction of a second will determine which ten runners advance to the estimated $125,000 Maiden Classic Finals.

The Louisiana Downs races can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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