Shatto Stoli Is Game Winner in Louisiana Champions QH Derby

Shatto Stoli(#2) with Raul Ramirez, Jr. aboard get a head in front of Coronaoro to capture the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Derby at Fair Grounds.

© Lou Hodges Photography

The son of champion sire Stoli raced over the 400 yards in :19.942 seconds, a 98 speed index with a 12 mph tailwind. The track surface was listed as "Good".

Owner-trainer Rosendo Valdez, Jr. saddled the sorrel gelding to his sixth win and the $45,000 winners' purse increased Shatto Stoli's earnings total $134,293.

"I liked both my horses in this Derby, but was worried about drawing inside for Shatto Stoli," Valdez said after the race. "Both (horses) were $5,000 claimers, so to win a Louisiana Champions Day stakes means a lot."

Juan San Miguel, Jr. bred Shatto Stoli from the Mr Jess Perry mare Scoopie Coochie. This was the second stakes win in 2017 for the gelding who won the Billy Montgomery LAD Stakes in January. He has compiled a (19) 6-3-1 record.

Runner-up Coronaoro races for owner Pedro Barron and trainer Carlos Saldivar. Jose Rodriguez rode the Coronas Leaving You gelding out of Orotoast by Toast To Dash. Coronaoro picked up $17,000 for the effort to bring his earnings mark to $55,114. Bobby Barnett is the breeder.

Di Maria finished half-a-length back and earned $10,000 for her third-place effort. Also trained by Saldivar, the daughter of leading second-crop sire Tee Cos, races for owner Jose Barron. Lyle Guillory bred the bay filly from the Teller Cartel mare Tell Brenda, a half-sister to leading sire Feature Mr Jess. Ridden by Everado Rodriguez, Di Maria has earned $66,460.

Gt Runaway Date, Buds World, Fast Dashin Dee, Toast To Virginia, Royal Quick Patriot, Dont Kill Patriot, Fabulously Fast Game and Ned Super Long Pass. Jess A Little Star was scratched.

Additional reporting courtesy Martha Claussen.