News - Racing March  29, 2024

Runaway Second Downs Gets Second Graded Win In Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile


Runaway Second Down (#11) gets up over Ms Diamond Prize (#1) and Tdz Jet Black Down (#12) in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Juvenile at Fair Grounds Race Course.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

NEW ORLEANS, LA—DECEMBER 14, 2019—Runaway Second Down, winner of the RG1 Lee Berwick Futurity last July, got his second stakes victory on Saturday when he defeated Ms Diamond Prize by a nose in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Juvenile(RG2) at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Ridden by jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr., Runaway Second Down completed the 350 yards in :17.731 seconds, equaling an 89 speed index into a 4 mph crosswind. It was the fourth win eight starts for the son of multiple stakes sire Sir Runaway Dash.

“He broke well; we fought all the way with the 12, then I looked over and saw the 1," jockey Ramirez, Jr. said following the win. "He’s a pretty smart horse and always finishes well."

The $45,000 winners' purse boosted Runaway Second Down's bankroll to $413,526 for the season.

Robi Meche trains the gray gelding for owners Eulalio Argote and Victor Alvarado. Grant Farms LLC bred Runaway Second Down from the Mr Jess Perry mare Second Down Perry.

“He gives his heart every time and does everything well," Meche said. "We made the choice to run on Champions Day and we did it!"

Ms Diamond Prize, a 2-year-old daughter of second-crop sire Fast Prize Jordan, just missed under jockey David Alvarez. Pedro Lopez trains the sorrel filly for owner Jesus Huitron Lira. Bred by D & S Racing LLC, Ms Diamond Prize was a finalist in the LQBA Sale Futurity(RG1) and the Lassie Futurity(RG2) earlier this season. She picked up $17,000 for the effort to bring her earnings total to $55,893.

Tony Doughtie's homebred Tdz Jet Black Down was another nose back in the blanket finish to earn $10,000 for third. Champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. saddled the son of Jet Black Patriot out of Miss Barton County by Toast To Dash. John Hamilton was riding the Laddie Futurity(RG2) winner who has won three of seven starts this year and earned $213,083.

Hh Gailforce, Tf Shez Jess Dashin, Brileys Prize, Perry Mouse Tail, A Quick Jewel, Jess A Fast Rogue, Jess A Cajun and Good Timing Man completed the field. Patriot On Ice was scratched.

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Additional "Champions Day" reporting by Martha Claussen.


Courtesy Ses