Preview Racing


The $15,000 Marathon Stakes Set For Saturday At Harrah’s Louisiana Downs
Trainer Ray Mayo and Jockey John Hamilton had an impressive opening weekend.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
The $15,000 Marathon Stakes Set For Saturday At Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

BOSSIER CITY, LA—JANUARY 20, 2020—The 2020 Quarter Horse racing season at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs got underway on January 4. Stakes action continues Saturday with distance specialists entered in the $15,000 Marathon Stakes. This will be the 14th running of the 870 yard stakes, with a compact, but competitive field of five entered.

Gary Aber’s Desire Astoli has been installed as the 3-5 morning line favorite. The 5-year-old daughter of Desirio out of the Stoli mare Stoli Victory, has won her last three distance races for top Louisiana conditioner Kenneth Roberts, Sr. She will make her 20th career start on Saturday with previous efforts in New Mexico. She was undefeated last year in Louisiana, with one win at 770 yards and two consecutive victories at 870 yards. Donald Watson will ride the Texas-bred.

“We thought she would like to go longer and decided to try it last year,” said Roberts. “You don’t see too many mares holding their own against males in hook races, but she really does well. She’s been training well and we thought this would be a good spot for her.”

Canselman drew the rail for owner Q & S Racing. The gelded son of Favorite Cartel exits a three-length 870 yard victory on December 4 at Evangeline Downs. He was ridden by Cristian Esqueda, who has the return call.

Freakin Patriot Dash will break from the outside post under Pedro Espinosa and has won four of his nine distance starts. The 5-year-old son of Game Patriot is trained by Pedro A. Lopez. The field also includes Im Mighty Fast, a 7-year-old gelding by Mighty Corona, who will make his 49th start under Rolando Cabrera. The Louisiana-bred, owned by Triple M Racing Stables, LLC is a stakes winner and boasts the top earnings mark of $190,395.

Here is the field, in post-position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

  1. Canselman (Cristian Esqueda, 7-2
  2. Ms Dashing Queen (Juan Garcia, Jr), 20-1
  3. Im Mighty Fast (Rolando Cabrera), 10-1
  4. Desire Astoli (Donald Watson), 3-5
  5. Freakin Patriot Dash (Pedro Espinosa), 3-1

The $15,000 Marathon Stakes will run as the third race of the card, with an approximate post time of 1:48 pm (Central).

Great Start at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs for Ray Mayo and John Hamilton

Trainer Ray Mayo has already won three races this meet at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. The 33-year-old rode professionally for 9-½ years before beginning a second career as a trainer.

This is the third year Mayo is running racehorses and he did not hesitate in enlisting his good friend John Hamilton to ride. They teamed up with Peyton’s Last Dash ($11.40) in Saturday’s $15,000 Harrah’s Dash for owner Rosendo Valdez. On the Monday card, they won the second race with Game Overtime ($4.00) and Jls Carter Jo ($14.40), in the fifth race on the card. Both runners were also owned by Valdez.

Although over two decades apart in age, Hamilton is not surprised that Mayo is having success as a conditioner.

“He is a good trainer and a real class act,” said Hamilton. “I was the best man at his wedding, and he has always been there for me. Ray is super motivated and I am happy to ride for him.”

2019 Leading Rider Everardo Rodriguez Injured on Opening Day

Jockey Everardo Rodriguez is recovering from a spill on January 4. The 30-year-old rider suffered a fracture to his T-12 vertebrae and minor injuries to his hand and ankle. He is expected to be out of action for three weeks, according to his agent, Gerald Thomas.

Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest Begins on January 18

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is hosting an exciting on-track handicapping contest called the Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest. It will begin on Saturday, January 18 with major stakes races and Kentucky Derby prep races featured each Saturday through May 2. Fans can register at the contest table adjacent to the program stand with weekly prizes awarded and points accumulated toward the $1,000 grand prize.

Louisiana Downs Dates and Post Times

The 2020 Quarter Horse racing season at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs continues through March 18. The 46-day meet includes 12 stakes highlighted by the first official championship for 2-year-olds, the $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity on March 14. Live racing will take place Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with a 1:00 p.m. (Central) post time.

LQHBA Annual Stallion Service Auction

The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) annual Stallion Service Auction is underway and will run through Wednesday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. (CST). Online bidding is available for over 40 stallions based in Louisiana, including leading sire top 2019 freshman sire Apollitical Blood, Mr Piloto, Tee Cos,Five Bar Cartel, Game Patriot, Coronas Leaving You, Open Me a Corona, Moonin the Eagle and many more.

Proceeds from the LQHBA Stallion Auction benefit the association's youth scholarship program. Since its inception in 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program has earmarked over $600,000 for Louisiana students to attend a higher education institution.

For additional information contact the LQHBA office at (318) 487-9506 or visit the association website at lqhba.com. To see a complete list of the stakes schedule, including trial dates, CLICK HERE.

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About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.