News - Racing March  29, 2024

Gunna Be Alright Notches His First Stakes Win In Mr Jess Perry Stakes (RG3) at Louisiana Downs


Gunnna Be Alright, under jockey David Alvarez, easily winning the $25,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes (RG3) on Saturday.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—FEBRUARY 16, 2019— Harrah's Louisiana Downs presented the 14th running of the $25,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes (RG3) today. The heavy favorite, Gladney 1 LLC's Gunna Be Alright ran an effortless race to top the six accredited Louisiana-breds in the afternoon feature.

With David Alvarez in the saddle, the 4-year-old son of Heza Fast Dash out of the Streakin La Jolla mare Jj Streakin Illusion had an easy trip from his far outside post, leading from the break and winning by one-length. His final time in the 350-yard stakes, over a fast track, was :16.762 seconds. He earned a 102 speed index.

Gunna Be Alright broke his maiden at first asking, winning his trial for the 2017 Laddie Futurity at Delta Downs. He won just two races in his 2-year and 3-year-old campaigns, but had several competitive outings in stakes company, including a fifth-place finish in the $267,000 LQHBA Breeders Derby last December at Evangeline Downs.

Jen Sokol, LAD Racing Office Manager, presents the winning connections of Gunna Be Alright the Mr Jess Perry Stakes trophy on Saturday.
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
His 4-year-old season could be his best yet, as he won a 330-yard optional claiming race on January 13. Roberts continues to have high regard for the sorrel gelding, bred by JoBaya Foreman, who is a full brother to 2013 LQHBA Louisiana Million champion Ol Time Preacher Man.

"That line of horses just takes time to mature," said Roberts. "He had some bad luck in some of his starts, but today ran a good clean race for David. I'm always telling my owners that it's 'going to be alright', so I'm pretty sure JoBaya named this horse with me in mind!"

Gunna Be Alright ($3.20) earned $15,000 this afternoon, increasing his career earnings to $67,222. Roberts intends to give him a 30-day break and look for a race at Delta Downs.

Tf Ms Perrys Runaway, owned by T and T Racing rallied for second under jockey Bryan Candanosa. The mare by Sir Runaway Dash earned $5,000 today, following her third-place finish here in the Party Girl Stakes last month.

Bred by Tate Farms, the 5-year-old mare is out of Dashadee by Mr Jess Perry. The multiple stakes-placed mare picked up $5,000 to boost her career mark to $81,426.

Lil Bro Streak and rider Luciano Duenez was third for owner Rosendo Valdez and trainer Rosendo Valdez, Jr. Bobby Miller bred the graded-placed son of Jet Black Patriot from the Streakin La Jolla mare Annas Streakin Dash. The $2,750 third-place payday brings Lil Bro Streak's earnings total to $118,120.

Kenny Robert's other trainee, Jrs Coronas Shadow, ran fourth followed by Leaving At Six and Runaway Easy Sir.

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The stakes is named in honor of Mr Jess Perry, the acclaimed racehorse and stallion who passed away in November, 2017 at the age of 25. Honored as 1994 AQHA Racing Champion 2-Year-Old and Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, he won 12 of his 21 career starts, including the 1994 LQHBA Breeders Futurity, before setting new standards as a stallion. His progeny includes Apollitical Jess, One Famous Eagle, Noconi, Matabari, Miss Racy Jess, and Fredricksburg.

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About Harrah's 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