Bossier City, LA – There is no shortage of talented jockeys competing in the 2018 Thoroughbred racing season at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. Several young riders are making a name for themselves including Jose Andres Guerrero
Born in Dolores Hidalgo in Central Mexico, Guerrero, 23, began galloping five years ago in Texas.
He got his license at 19 and was named on 11 horses in 2015. His first victory came in 2016 and he completed the year with a record of 31 wins, 40 seconds and 42 third-place finishes. He had a good season last year at Louisiana Downs, beginning the meet as an apprentice, and transitioning to the journeyman ranks last July. Guerrero finished the meet fifth in the standings with 57 wins.
He’s already won 16 races this meet and has scored with several longshots. On Monday, June 18, he tallied a very impressive score aboard first-time starter Acadian Driftwood for trainer Jerry Cart. The filly by Forefathers was entered in a $22,000 maiden special weight.
“We knew she was pretty good,” said Cart. “Jose had never worked her, so all I told him was to get her out to the lead.”
That did not happen, as she got pinched back out of the gate and was ninth in the early stages of the six furlong main track event.
“She took a bad step out of the gate,” explained Guerrero. “I just decided to be patient and see how she would recover. I got her to the outside and she did the rest.”
She advanced from last, passing three runners as she neared the turn, and took off at the top of the stretch, drawing clear by over seven lengths. Sent off at 17-1, Acadian Driftwood paid $37.20 for the $2 win ticket.
“The filly really showed me she could run,” said Guerrero.
Cart, who is also the co-breeder and owner of the chestnut filly, had praise for Guerrero.
“He’s a talented rider and has really improved in the last year,” he said.
Guerrero appreciates each of the trainers who name him and for the hard work of his agent, Steve Melancon. He is satisfied with his progress in the fourth year of his career.
“I’m doing what I love to do, every time I ride,” he explained. “My faith in God keeps me humble. I wake up every morning, work hard and try to be strong and finish well.”
Guerrero joined millions of racing fans in watching the masterful run of Justify as he became just the 13th Triple Crown winner.
“Wow; that is an incredible horse,” said Guerrero. “And what a great ride by Mike Smith. I was at Lone Star last year when he came in to ride a stakes race. He is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. I introduced myself and told him I had only been riding a few years. He was very encouraging and told me just to keep working hard.”
Trainer, Jockey and Owner Standings
As of June 20, Karl Broberg tops the trainer standings with 10 wins. Joe O. Duhon and Henry E. Uriegas have each saddled nine winners to share second place. Danny Pish and Jorge Lara follow closely with eight wins each.
Big week for Emanuel Nieves who rode eight winners to take the lead from Richard Eramia. Nieves now tops the jockey standings with 25 wins. Eramia is second with 23 victories and Gerardo Mora follows with 20 wins. Joel Dominguez rounds out the top four with 17 trips to the winner’s circle.
End Zone Athletics, Inc. took sole possession of the lead in the owner standings with eight wins. Dream Walkin Farms, Inc. is second with seven victories and Jorge Gomez is next with five wins. Brittlyn Stable Inc, Patti Turner, P and D Racing Stables, Penny Scarberry, D & D Racing, Estate of William Gilmore, Eleuterio Martinez, Jr, Quail Ridge Farms of Hondo, LLC and Maxie Wayne Kitchings, Sr. follow with three wins each.
Wednesday and Saturday Race Day Promotions
Louisiana Downs offers value for racing fans each Wednesday with Dollar Day. They will be able to enjoy $1 hot dogs, $1 beer at the Paddock as well as $1 programs. Saturday’s weekly promotion is the Family Four Pack featuring four hot dogs, four sodas, a program, and a box seat for four at the affordable price of just $16.
The Total Rewards program is free for horseplayers. With the swipe of their card each Saturday, members will receive valuable incentives. These include:
- Play $250 or more to receive a 5X multiplier
- Play $1,000 or more to receive a 7X multiplier
- Play $5,000 or more to receive a 10X multiplier
Participant’s multiplier cannot exceed a total balance of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) Reward Credits during one promotional day after the multiplier is applied.
Post Times and Stakes Schedule
Live racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday with a 3:15 p.m. (Central) post time through September 27.
The 84-day meet will include 14 stakes highlighted by two major events, Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 4 and Super Derby Day on Sunday, September 2. As previously announced one major change for the upcoming season is that the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby will return to the main track at a distance of a mile and one-sixteenth on Sunday, September 2.
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.
