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$25,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes (RG3) Set Saturday at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs


Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3) winner Jrs Coronas Shadow will start in Saturday's $25,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes (RG3) at Louisiana Downs.

© Coady Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA—FEBRUARY 12, 2019—Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will present the 14th running of the $25,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes (RG3) on Saturday.

A field of six accredited Louisiana-breds will compete 350-yards in the sixth race of Saturday’s card, which gets underway at 1:00 pm (Central).

Trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. looks for good efforts for both of his entrants in the feature. Gladney 1 LLC’s Gunna Be Alright, installed as the 7-5 favorite, will break from post six under David Alvarez.

The 4-year-old son of Heza Fast Dash out of the Streakin La Jolla mare Jj Streakin Illusion ran fifth in the $267,000 LQHBA Breeders Derby last December at Evangeline Downs. He enters the Mr Jess Perry off a 330-yard victory here in an optional claiming race on January 13.

Roberts will also saddle Jrs Coronas Shadow, a restricted graded winning son of Coronas Leaving You, who drew the rail and will be ridden by John Hamilton. The 5-year-old has won five of his 19 career starts for owner Gary W. Hartstack.

"They are both doing well and I feel both horses will be competitive on Saturday," said Roberts.

Honored as LQHBA Champion trainer numerous times, Roberts took a minute to reflect on the recent passing of legendary sire Heza Fast Dash, who lost his battle with laminitis on January 24.

"He was one of the best stallions in Louisiana," stated Roberts. "We have some very good young stallions here, but Heza Fast Dash was in a league of his own. He will be missed."

The field also includes Tf Ms Perrys Runaway, who exits a third-place finish in the $25,000 Party Girl Stakes here on January 26. The 5-year-old mare by Sir Runaway Dash is owned by T and T Racing Stable and will be ridden by Bryan Candanosa.

Another mare, Leaving at Six, who ran fourth in the Party Girl Stakes, returns for Rancho Herradura LLC with jockey Rolando Pina in the saddle. Lil Bro Streak, a 5-year-old son of Jet Black Patriot, will seek his fifth career victory for owner Rosendo Valdez. Completing the field is Runaway Easy Sir, who will make his second start of 2019 for owner KK Horse Racing.

The stakes is named in honor of Mr Jess Perry, the acclaimed racehorse and stallion who passed away in November, 2017 at the age of 25. Honored as 1994 AQHA Racing Champion 2-Year-Old and Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, he won 12 of his 21 career starts, including the 1994 LQHBA Breeders Futurity, before setting new standards as a stallion. His progeny includes Apollitical Jess, One Famous Eagle, Noconi, Matabari, Miss Racy Jess, and Fredricksburg. Mr Jess Perry was inducted into the 2015 Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame.

Here is the field for the Mr Jess Perry Stakes, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

  1. Jrs Coronas Shadow (John Hamilton), 8-1
  2. Tf Ms Perrys Runaway (Bryan Candanosa), 9-2
  3. Leaving at Six (Rolando Pina), 12-1
  4. Runaway Easy Sir (Noe Castaneda), 3-1
  5. Lil Bro Streak (Luciano Duenez), 7-2
  6. Gunna Be Alright (David Alvarez), 7-5

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Seis Train B Impressive in Harrah's Entertainment Schooling Races

Harrah's Louisiana Downs hosted eight schooling races on Friday, February 8 for 2-year-olds eligible for the Harrah's Entertainment Futurity. The final heat of the day resulted in the fastest time set by Seis Train B, a son of Freighttrain B, bred and owned by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC.

Leading Louisiana Downs jockey Everardo Rodriguez guided the colt to the wire of the 220-yard race in :12.186 for trainer Lanny Keith. Another Mercy Hinklin homebred, Tressels Going Grand, a gelded son of FDD Going Grand, set the second fastest time in the opening race, crossing the wire in :12.242 seconds.

The same connections were victorious last year when Going Noble won the $238,090 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity (G3).

Trials for the 2019 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity will take place on March 2 with the ten finalists returning on March 20.

Louisiana Downs Trainer, Jockey and Owner Standings

A very tight battle for leading trainer is in the works. Through February 11, Manuel H. Macias tops his fellow conditioners with 13 wins. Lanny Keith is second with 12 winners and Willie Simien, Jr. follows closely with 10 victories. Josue Huitron and Kenny Roberts have each saddled eight winners to round out the top four.

Everardo Rodriguez continues to lead in the jockey standings and is a solid contender to win back-to back titles. He has won 25 races, with his mounts finishing in the top three at an impressive 67% statistic. John Hamilton is second in the standings with 16 wins, followed by Donald Watson, who has made nine trips to the winner's circle. Luciano Duenez, Rolando Cabrera and Noe Castaneda are tied for fourth with eight wins each.

Jose O. Barron tops the leaderboard in the owner standings with eight wins from 17 starters since the 2019 Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet began on January 5. Gladney 1 LLC, Josue Huitron and Lanny Keith are tied with three wins each.

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Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest Begins on January 19
Harrah's Louisiana Downs is hosting an exciting on-track handicapping contest called the Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest. It began on Saturday, January 19 with major stakes races and Kentucky Derby prep races featured each Saturday through May 4. 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. For more information, For more information, CLICK HERE.

Louisiana Downs Dates and Post Times
The 2019 Quarter Horse racing season at Harrah's Louisiana Downs got underway on Saturday, January 5. 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 16. Live racing will take place Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with a 1:00 p.m. (Central) post time and will continue through March 20. 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.


Courtesy Ses