Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News - Racing April 16, 2024

Apollitical High Wins Thrilling Vinton Stakes At Delta Downs

Apollitical High (#5) gets up over Whos My Papa (#3) and Jess Sweet Time (#4) in a blanket-finish to the $48,500 Vinton Stakes on Monday at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 7, 2021—Delta Downs hosted the $48,500 Vinton Stakes on Monday as it began the fifth week of American Quarter Horse racing for 2021.

The race was won by Rosendo Valdez’s Apollitical High, who rallied from behind and just got up at the wire to win the 400-yard test for 3-year-olds by a head.

Under jockey David Alvarez, Apollitical High broke last in the Vinton and was playing catch-up for most of the race for Louisiana-breds before making a late surge to win at the wire over Whos My Papa and Jess Sweet Time.

The Rosendo Valdez, Jr. trainee covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 19.935 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 87.

The win was Apollitical High’s third in a row and his second in stakes company. On March 27 he took the $121,000 Mardi Gras Derby at Louisiana Downs after beginning his streak in a trial for that race three weeks earlier. Apollitical High earned $30,000 for his Vinton score and now owns a career bankroll of $97,731.

The winning connections of Apollitical High accept the Vinton Stakes trophy Monday evening at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography

Bred in Louisiana by Leroy L. Fotenot, Jr., Apollitical High is a sorrel gelding by Apollitical Blood, out of the Toast To Dash mare Toastem Honi.

Runner-up Whos My Papa earned his first career black-type in a close finish with winner Apollitical High. Eric Long conditions the son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash for owner Alvaro Munoz. Saul Ramirez had the riding call.

Gordon Racing LLC bred the black gelding from the Streakin La Jolla mare Streakin Angelia. He has compiled a (11) 2-3-1 record and used the $10,000 second-place check to boost his earnings total to $31,420.

Jess Sweet Time was only a nose back in the blanket-finish to earn $5,500 for third. Making his first start since finishing second in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile(RG2) on December 12th, the One Sweet Jess gelding races for owners Roland Frederick, Cory Mouton and Trey Ellis.

Ellis, who also trains the horse, named Juan Garcia, Jr. to ride last year's Louisiana Juvenile winner out of the Game Patriot mare Track Shaker. Jess Sweet Time has won three of 10 career starts and earned nearly $70,000. Sent to the gate as a heavy favorite in a field of just four after scratches, Apollitical High paid $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Whos My Papa returned $4.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Jess Sweet Time was worth $2.10 to show.

Jess Her Dream completed the field. Shortstop Express and Ought To Go Tee were late scratches.

Delta Downs will continue live racing this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Post time each day is at 3 pm. The Saturday card includes two major stakes events, the $318,983 Lassie Futurity (RG2) and the $346,842 Laddie Futurity (RG2).

For more information about the season visit the track’s website at deltadownsracing.com.

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Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.