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Stone Cold Leader Impressive in the $15,000 Leverne Perry Memorial


Stone Cold Leader, under jockey Rolando Pina, winning the $15,000 Leverne Perry Memorial Saturday at Louisiana Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 16, 2019— The third stakes of the card, the $15,000 Leverne Perry Memorial, is named in honor of the esteemed breeder and Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) Executive Director Emeritus.

The 400-yard feature attracted a field of ten with Patrick Richardson's Stone Cold Leader installed as the heavy favorite, and fully living up to his top billing.

The Indiana-bred son of Brookstone Bay has continued his stakes winning ways since capturing two futurities in 2017 at Indiana Grand. When trainer Joe Davis relocated to Louisiana last year, Stone Cold Leader continued to be one of the stars of the stable, taking both the Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs and the Evangeline Downs Derby last December. The 4-year-old gelding has bankrolled $426,333 to date.

The winning connections of Stone Cold Leader are joined by family and friends of the late Laverne Perry to receive the 1st annual Laverne Perry Memorial Stakes trophy Saturday at Louisiana Downs. © Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Breaking from post position six, under regular rider Rolando Pina, Stone Cold Leader forged ahead of his ten rivals, scoring by 1 ˝ lengths in :19.556.

"It's hard to describe how good he is," said Pina. "He's the best one I have ever ridden. He loved it out there today; gets faster every time."

Davis credited his family and team for the tenth win in 19 lifetime starts.

"He's been invited to the Remington Park Invitational, so we needed to get a race in," said Davis. "I might find a race for him at Delta, but am leaning toward just training him up to that."

Richardson, who lives in South Carolina, was on hand with a great group of supporters.

"I was a little hesitant about buying a racehorse," he admitted. "It's been a blessing to me and my family. We did great in Indiana; when Joe came to Louisiana, I told him we would go with him."

Runner-up Louisiana Seis races for owners Jose Espinosa, Kenneth Blouch and Christine Blouch. Richard Arizpe bred the 4-year-old son of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel in Texas from the Tres Seis mare Seis Passes. He picked up $3,000 for the effort, pushing his bankroll to nearly $44,000. Luis Vivanco was riding.

Juan Lozano, Jr. is the owner/breeder of third-place finisher Mystical Jess, a daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Dash Thru Traffic mare Traffic Juana. Alonso Neri saddled with Manuel Gutierrez aboard. The $1,650 payday boosted the multiple stakes-place filly's earnings to $44,488.

Sizzlin On Da Bayou, Sixes Flash, Th Maverick, Bileve, Jess Me Runnin V, Thecartelofmiracle and Ace Black Patriot completed the field.

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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.


Courtesy Ses