Page 15 - May 2021

Louisiana Downs Leading Owner Rosendo Valdez (wearing mask).
TRACK CHATTER
LOUISIANA DOWNS ANNOUNCES TITLE WINNERS
Louisiana Downs wrapped up its 2021 Quarter Horse meet April 7. The 44-day season, which commenced on January 23, was impacted by the major winter storm in Louisiana with sub-freezing temperatures significantly affected both the facility and travel to the Shreveport area. Citing
safety for horses and humans, eight days from February 13 – February 23 were canceled.
Live racing resumed on Feb. 27 with successful editions of the three major championships of the season: Ruse Ranch LLC’s KK Sandra Patriot triumphed in
the $349,946 Mardi Gras Futurity-RG2; Apollitical High captured the $121,158 Mardi Gras Derby for Rosendo Valdez; and TYKHE Racing LLC’s On Nyx won the $302,010 Harrah’s Futurity-G3.
On April 7, Louisiana Downs honored the leading jockey, trainer and owner of the meet. David Alvarez won the leading rider title with 45 wins, 26 seconds and 22 third-place finishes. He guided Apollitical High to victory in the Mardi Gras Derby, earning $445,530 throughout the meet and finishing in the money at a 56 percent clip. Alvarez began 2020 as the second-leading rider at Louisiana Downs before win-
ning titles at Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs, completing the year with 111 wins, the most wins for a Quarter Horse rider in North America.
Jose Carrizales won his second consecu- tive training title. The 24-year-old stepped into the spotlight last year topping his fellow conditioners at Louisiana Downs, which was the first leading trainer title of his career. He concluded the 2021 meet with 24 wins from 114 starts and purses of $187,899. Carrizales trains for J & J Stables LLC and was able to add more owners last year as a result of his success at
Louisiana Downs.
The leading owner of the meet was Rosendo Valdez with 12 wins from 21 starts, including the victory by Apollitical High, one of his three finalists in the Mardi Gras Derby. Valdez won the 2020 leading owner title at Evangeline Downs and finished the Louisiana Downs meet with a lofty 57 per- cent win statistic.
“We thank our horsemen and fans for their support during our Quarter Horse meet and appreciate their patience in the difficult challenges due to the winter storm,” said David Heitzmann, director of racing. “Some very talented horses ran here this season, and we wish them all the best as they make their next starts in 2021.”
Louisiana Downs Leading Trainer Jose Carrizales (left).
Louisiana Downs Leading Jockey David Alvarez (2nd from right).
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