Louisiana Lover sets new stakes record in Blue River Derby

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 22, 2020) – He was the quickest in the trials and he returned with the same authority in the 18th running of the $125,100 Blue River Derby. Louisiana Lover closed like a locomotive to capture the stakes race, the first Quarter Horse stakes implemented during the inaugural season of racing at Indiana Grand in 2003.

Louisiana Lover, a big horse standing over 16 hands, is never the quickest out of the gate. It takes a few strides for him to get going, but once he gets his momentum intact, he extends his stride and covers a lot of ground for the second half of the race. Jockey Sammy Mendez was back aboard for the final from post nine.

Once he got rolling, Louisiana Lover began passing horses left and right on the outside, catching HH CJ Shake and Juan Marquez in the last stride to win by one-half length in a time of :19.552, a new stakes record for the Blue River Derby. Rock Hard Candy and Victor Olivo was third in a close photo with Blue Eyed Newman and Shanley Jackson.

“We thought he’d be good at 400 yards,” said owner Chris Duke, who is based out of Whiteland, Ind. “The first 200 yards, he always weaves, but the second 200, he is really reaching. He has such a big stride, he can really make up ground.”

Duke and his wife, Stephanie, are fully involved in the Quarter Horse business. In addition to their racing operation, they compete on the barrel racing circuit as well. Duke Racing includes partners from his family as well as Jack Laugle, who is a neighbor in Whiteland.

“I actually saw a post by Dr. Amy Youngblood on Facebook,” noted Duke. “He was a great looking colt and when we went to see him, he was pretty much perfect, so we purchased him as a weanling. We also liked the Mr Jess Perry line on his dam’s side.”

Randy Smith, Indiana Grand’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer, handles the conditioning of Louisiana Lover. The son of The Louisiana Cartel is an easy keeper, but Smith noted they have one issue with him, directly related to his size.

“I have a hard time keeping a saddle on him,” said Smith. “We tried a breast collar, but that didn’t work. We had to adjust the saddle in the paddock before the race.”

Louisiana Lover is now two for two in 2020 and six for nine lifetime. His earnings from his Blue River Derby win nearly doubled his career earnings tally, which is now in excess of $144,000.

“His next start will be the next Derby (QHRAI SSA Derby Aug. 27),” added Duke. “We also have him paid into the Sterlie Bertram (Oct. 3).”

Live racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 18 with action held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Three more Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse days Aug. 8, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24. The Aug. 8 program will begin at 10 a.m.

Photos by Coady Photography