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$34,740 Louisiana Downs Maiden Stake Final Set Saturday At Harrah’s Louisiana Downs


Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco will ride 5-2 morning-line favorite Shake Em Ike in Saturday's $34,740 Louisiana Downs Maiden Stake (not black type).

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—FEBRUARY 4, 2020—Another action-packed week at Harrah's Louisiana Downs is in the works, beginning on Friday (Feb 7) with six schooling races (see related story) for the Harrah's Entertainment Futurity at 11:00 am and live cards set for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Shake Em Ike Headlines Field in Saturday's $34,740 Louisiana Downs Maiden Stake

Four trials for the $34,740 LAD Maiden Stake (not black type) were contested on January 18 with Shake Em Ike covering 350-yards in a swift :17.608 seconds to set the fastest time of the afternoon. The stakes (not black type) was written for accredited Louisiana-bred foals of 2015, 2016 and 2017 which were maidens as of December 1, 2019.

Shake Em Ike, 4-year-old son of Jet Black Patriot out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Shakemuppery made six starts last year, hitting the board in four races. He handled a muddy track with no difficulty and won his trial in front running style under rider Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco.

Bred by Richard and Janelle Simon, Shake Em Ike is a full brother to You Drive I Fly, who won the 2017 LQHBA Louisiana Million at Evangeline Downs.

Owner Jose Ortiz of Brownsville, Texas, was pleased with the trial win of Shake Em Ike.

"He was not a very big yearling, so we never ran him as a 2-year-old," said Ortiz. "We believed that with his pedigree, he would have talent. He's matured quite a bit and ran very well. He came out of the trial in good shape and we look forward to the final."

Ortiz's father Olegario trains the brown gelding, who drew post position four at odds of 5-2.

Royal Renegade set the second-fastest time of :17.627 in his trial and will break from post position seven under jockey Rolando Pina. The 4-year-old gelding by Heza Fast Dash is owned and trained by Alfredo Gomez. He broke his maiden in his trial win, which was his 18th lifetime start.

Cr Penny Patriot, also by Jet Black Patriot, was the fifth-fastest qualifier for breeder and owner Rancho el Huajillo, LLC. Two offspring of Five Bar Cartel also secured qualifying spots in the final: Gerardo Morales' Frosted and Taylor Made Cartel, owned by Paragon Farms LLC.

The Louisiana Downs Maiden Stake will run as race six on Saturday's card. Here is the field, in post-position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

  1. Bye the Man in Black (Bryan Candanosa), 5-1
  2. Frosted (John Hamilton), 8-1
  3. Jess for Rogue (Pedro Espinosa), 20-1
  4. Shake Em Ike (Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco), 5-2
  5. Cr Penny Patriot (Francisco Calderon), 12-1
  6. Taylor Made Cartel (Cesar Esqueda), 8-1
  7. Royal Renegade (Rolando Pina), 7-2
  8. Perfect Professional (Jorge Garcia), 6-1
  9. Jess Out of the Blue (David Alvarez), 12-1
  10. Mr Copper Wind (Juan Torres), 20-1

Harrah's Entertainment Schooling Races Set for Friday, February 7

Louisiana Downs will run six schooling races on Friday, February 7 for juveniles nominated to the $75,000-added Harrah's Entertainment Futurity (G3). The races will begin at 11:00 am but will not be live-streamed. However, on Friday afternoon, a complete recap on each of the 220-yard heats will be posted on StallioneSearch.com and shared on LQHBA.com as well. The trials for the Harrah's Entertainment Futurity will take place on March 1with the ten fastest qualifiers returning for the final on Wednesday, March 18.

For a complete list of entries, courtesy Jumonville Farms, with sires, dams, owners, trainers, jockeys and sale prices (where applicable) CLICK HERE.

Jockey Everardo Rodriguez Cleared for February 10 Return

Everardo Rodriguez, 2019 Louisiana Downs leading rider, will return to action on Monday, February 10, according to his agent Gerald Thomas.

Everardo Rodriguez © Lou Hodges / Ann Switalski
Rodriguez was unseated from his mount on Saturday, January 4 and sustained back and hand injuries. He has been recuperating in his Dallas, Texas home. Born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Rodriguez had a sensational 2019, winning the riding titles in each of the four Louisiana racetracks. He finished the year as the top Quarter Horse rider in wins in North America, with 159 trips to the winner's circle.

Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest Continues This Saturday

Harrah's Louisiana Downs is hosting an exciting on-track handicapping contest called the Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest. It began on Saturday, January 18 with major stakes races, including key Kentucky Derby prep races featured each week 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.

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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