Page 211 - April2022

Mardi Gras Derby
STRATOSPHEAR
by John Moorehouse
Stratosphear soared to his first-ever stakes victory, taking the $106,964 Mardi Gras Derby by 3/4-length on March 27 at Louisiana Downs.
There was no catching Stratosphear in this one. The gelding broke on top from the No. 3 gate and led at every call of the 400- yard competition.
Stratosphear drifted out but held his posi- tion at the front.
A trainer’s objection was filed on behalf of post-time favorite He Aint Political, who finished in eighth, after the race for Stratosphear drifting out, but the objec- tion was disallowed.
Stratosphear finished the race in :20.016, posting a 92 speed index while running into a 6 mph headwind. Stratosphear was about a quarter-second faster in the
March 7 trials, covering the same distance in :19.791.
Owned by Guerras Racing Stables, the sophomore gelding reached the winner’s circle for the fourth time in 10 lifetime starts and improved to 2-0 in 2022. The $48,620 payday from the derby pushed his total earn- ings into six figures at $112,749.
Stratosphear is no stranger to stakes competition. The gelding
competed in a pair of stakes as a two year old, finishing second in last year’s running of the Louisiana Juvenile and fourth in the LQHBA Sale Futurity-G2.
Bobby D. Cox bred Stratosphear and home-bred his dam, winner Corona Starlette. She has produced two winners from three start- ers. Stratosphere is her first stakes winner.
Patriotic Trump (Jet Black Patriot-Princess Lil Bit) made a strong finish to snag runner-up honors for owner/breeder Gene Cox and trainer Trey Ellis. Juan Garcia, Jr., had the riding assign- ment. The gelding was a finalist in the Louisiana Juvenile Stakes last year.
Winner San Lorenzo Dash (Heza Fast Dash- San Lorenzo Eagle) finished third under David Alvarezfor owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr., and trainer Jesus Marquez.
The remaining order of finish saw Mr Fast Mallard (Heza Fast Dash-Miss Mallard Struts) in fourth, followed by morning-line favorite Quid Pro Quo (Five Bar Cartel-Jess Tempting To Fly), Guidrys Credit Card (Apollitical Blood- Guidrys Boodie Doo), Lett It Happen (Jet Black Patriot-Don’t Lett Her Down), He Aint Political (Apollitical Blood-Ifuaintfirstulast) and Jet Black Dash (Jet Black Patriot-Angels Quick Dash).
RACING NEWS
Louisiana Downs
$106,964 • 400 yards :20.016 • si 92
Mr Jess Perry
One Sweet Jess
One Sweet Dash
STRATOSPHEAR, ‘19-g.
Corona Cartel
Corona Starlette
Kathys Star Quest
SPEEDHORSE April 2022 209
Leslie Simmons, Speedhorse