Lett It Happen Remains Undefeated in 2024 After Winning $30,000 Lip Chip Stakes

Lett It Happen, ridden by Arnulfo Gutierrez, wins the $30,000 Lip Chip Stakes by 1 1/4-lengths at Louisiana Downs on Saturday.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 16, 2024–8-5 morning line favorite Lett It Happen gets the job done with an impressive win in the $30,000 Lip Chip Stakes at Louisiana Downs on Saturday afternoon.

Against a 5 mph head wind, jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez guided Lett It Happen to a 1 1/4-length gate-to-wire victory in :19.813 seconds clocking a 99 speed index. The 400-yard win paid $3.40 on 3/5 odds.

The son of Jet Black Patriot is off to a great start for this year's campaign. Let It Happen hadn't won a stakes race in his career until this season and today's victory counts for his second stakes win, keeping him undefeated in 2024.

Trained by Gilberto Rosales, Lett It Happen won his season debut in the Mr Jess Perry Stakes [G3] last month at Louisiana Downs. The Lip Chip Stakes first place finish adds $18,000 to his bankroll now totaling $140,737.

"He came out of his win in the Mr Jess Perry in very good shape, so we were hoping for another good race today," said Rosales. "Today he broke like he never did before, and handled the distance with no problem. We have a wonderful team and were happy that Lett it Happen came to play today!"

The five-year-old horse has six wins, four seconds and five thirds from 31 career starts. Lett It Happen placed second in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes [G3], fourth in the Miss Polly Classic Stakes [G2] and Delta Dash Stakes in 2023 and was a six-time stakes finalist in 2022.

Rosales mentioned that the team plans to point Lett It Happen toward the upcoming meet at Delta Downs.

Bred by Lester Colomb Jr in Louisiana, Lett It Happen is out of the First Down Dash mare Dont Lett Her Down, who's dam is champion Lett Her Zoom. He is owned by Eutimio Torres.

One Sweet Rogue, ridden by Everardo Rodriguez pressed for the win but couldn't match Lett It Happen and crossed the wire for the place 1 1/4-lengths ahead of Hock Tree Special.  

Trainer Robert Meche saddled One Sweet Rogue for breeder/owner Jennifer Walker of Louisiana. The five-year-old gelding has four lifetime wins with $73,828 in earnings.

The son of Heza Fast Rogue placed third in the Mr Jess Perry Stakes [G3] and second in the Billy Montgomery Stakes this year at Louisiana Downs. One Sweet Rogue is out of Sweet Pea Barbara (TB) by My Friend Max.

Third place finisher Hock Tree Special chased evenly under the guidance of jockey David Alvarez. The son of Kiss My Hocks has earned $37,633 and is conditioned by trainer Leonel Hernandez.

Breeder Tyler Graham sold Hock Tree Special for $55,000 in the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale. The three-year-old Texas-bred gelding out of Lamont Lady by Pyc Paint Your Wagon is currently owned by Hector Menchaca.

Hez Hunters Rogue, Cb Pinkmoonin and Th Mai Tai Tom round out the order of finish.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. 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.