Lightly Raced Heza No Bay Sets Top Mark in Louisiana Maiden Stakes Trials

Heza No Bay (#6) holds off Louisiana Blling with Raul Ramirez, Jr. up and Armando Ramirez aboard Drinkin And Swingin to post the fastest time of 17.884 in the Louisiana Downs Maiden Stakes Trials.

© Lou Hodges Photography / Lynn Roberts

The 10 fastest Louisiana-bred 3, 4 and 5-year-old maidens, from the three trial races, will turn to the Northwest Louisiana racetrack on Saturday, February 7 and vie for the winner's share of the purse going 350 yards.

Ridden by jockey Donald Watson, Heza No Bay broke third but finished a neck in front of Drinkin And Swingin while covering the 350 yards in :17.884 seconds, an 89 speed index into a 10 mph headwind, to get the top qualifying time. Trainer Kevin Broussard conditions the Heza Fast Dash filly for owner Michael Richard.

Connie Nobles bred Heza No Bay from the Reckless Dash mare Reckless Renee. With three prior starts at Evangeline Downs last Fall, his record stands at(4) 1-0-1 with $6,930 in earnings.

The aforementioned Drinkin And Swingin held on for the second fastest clocking of :17.914 seconds. Armando Ramirez rode the Jess Swingin colt for owner-trainer Orlando Orozco. Narciso Flores bred Drinkin And Swinging from the Grade 1 million-dollar earning daughter of Corona Cartel, Eye For Corona. Still a maiden, the sorrel gelding has placed twice in seven starts.

Shining Corona got his first win with a three-quarter length effort over Sugar Shaker B in the final trial to post the fourth fastest time of :17.998. Raul Ramirez, Jr. rode the First To Shine gelding for owns Donna and Kenneth Weeks. Kenneth trains the sorrel out of Too Coronas, by Corona Cartel.

For a complete list of Louisiana Maiden Stakes finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.