News - Racing March  29, 2024

One Sweet Merlot Gets Second Consecutive Allowance Win


One Sweet Merlot, under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr., winning the Saturday feature allowance at Louisiana Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—FEBRUARY 6, 2021—One Sweet Merlot, a 7-year-old son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess, picked up his second consecutive allowance win when he defeated Dak by one-length in Louisiana Downs $9,500 feature Allowance on Saturday.

Under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr., One Sweet Merlot covered the 400 yards in :22.305 seconds, equaling a 90 speed index into a 9 mph headwind. On November 12th he closed out his 2020 season with a half-length win in a 440 yard $18,000 Allowance at Evangeline Downs.

Trey Ellis conditions the Oklahoma-bred gelding for owners David Jones and Mark Cowan. Bred by Vessels Stallion Farm LLC, from the Heza Fast Dash mare Onemoreglassofwine, One Sweet Merlot has compiled a (25) 9-4-2 record and banked $136,068. His wins incude the Retama Juvenile Challenge, Retama Derby Challenge, King William Handicap and was he finished third in the Sam Houston Derby(G3).

Blue Star Racing's graded stakes winner Dak, earned $1,800 for finishing second. Janessa Muniz saddled the 2018 TQHA Sale Futurity(G3) winner by multiple stakes sire Dominyun. Juan Garcia was aboard the Texas-bred out of Fleet Elis by Fishers Dash. Bullard Farms bred the $258,039 earner.

Jess Tolltac finished three-quarters back to earn $1,430 for third. Jose Carrizales trains the daughter of Jess An Idea for owner J & J Stables LLC. Juan Bazaldua bred the 4-year-old filly in Louisiana from the Toast To Dash mare Toast To Tolltac. She has earned nearly $40,000 and was ridden by Ricardo Hernandez, Jr..

Tempting Boss Aw and U R Jess Blue completed the field.

About 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