Page 171 - January 2021

RACING NEWS
Lifeinthefastlanes’ winning connections include owners Jason Richards & Michael LeBlanc, trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. and jockey David Alvarez.
three stakes races on the program, including the $40,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational aboard Apollitcal Chais and the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity-RG1 on San Lorenzo. That concluded a dominant season for Alvarez, who recorded 45 wins from 228 starts to take the title by 12 wins over a tie for second at 33
a piece for Juan Garcia Jr. and Everardo Rodriguez. Winning races at a 20-percent clip, with 27 second- place and 31 third-place finishes, Alvarez rode in the money at 45 percent, with mounts earning a total of $1,152,320 in purse money.
A winner of eight of 10 career starts and a perfect six-for-six in 2020, Lifeinthefastlanes won two stakes during the Delta Downs sum- mer meet, including the $277,000 Louisiana Bred Derby-RG3 on Aug. 22.
“She’s got a huge heart and has a heck of a kick,” said Jason Richards, who co-owns the filly with Michael J. LeBlanc. “She broke decent, and when she gets out, we know she’ll win. Kenny worked with her. He’s the best when it comes to patience.”
Patience pays. The filly’s only off-the-board finish was in the 2019 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity-RG1.
“This filly is really nice to train – now,” Roberts said. “Last year, she had the fastest time in the Futurity. But then (in the final), her patience didn’t last and she busted through the gate. We put her back in, but then she didn’t break, didn’t leave, so the jockey didn’t let her run.”
Which was exactly what a jockey should do in such a case.
“This year, we took a lot of time with her,” Roberts said. “We played with her, tried to put a little confidence in her at the gate, tried to let her know everything’s going to be alright, nothing’s going to hurt her.”
The trainer smiled.
“And she’s been doing pretty good.” Bred by Wade Jr. and Kay Loup,
Lifeinthefastlanes is the first stakes win-
ner of three winners from four starters out of Pantherinthefastlane. The stakes-winning mare has produced the earners of more than $434,000.
Lifeinthefastlanes accounts for $390,031 of that. Roberts conditions Lifeinthefastlanes for owners Jason Richards and Michael J. LeBlanc of Tyler, Texas, who purchased the filly for $41,000 at the 2018 LQHBA Yearling Sale.
“We’ve always thought a lot of her,” said Roberts. “It was tough last year when she broke through the gate and lost all chances, but we took our time with her. I think she’s the real deal.”
Love The Way You Fly (Furyofthewind- Lovethewayyoulie) finished second under Juan Garcia Jr. for owner Todd Matte and trainer Trey Ellis. Love The Way You Fly won last year’s LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational.
Swamp Eagle (Heza Fast Dash-Gee Whit) and jockey Ubaldo Luna came in third for owner Fausto Mendoza and trainer Joel Huitron. This year, Swamp Eagle ran second in the Vinton Stakes at Delta Downs.
Taylor Made Cartel (Five Bar Cartel- Mystical Blue), JRS Coronas Toast (Coronas Leaving You-Egos Toast To Dash), LTO Thumbs Up (Sir Runaway Dash-AB Creole Lady), Top Notch (Apollitical Blood-EME Baby Doll), Sir Runaway Cash (Sir Runaway Dash-MCM Premo Dash), Apollitical B Snow (Apollitical Blood-Mary Snow) and Leavin You Blue (Coronas Leaving You- Thecoloroftheblues) completed the field.
Jockey David Alvarez returns aboard Lifeinthefastlanes after their victory.
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