The illustrious mare SS Classyjess began her career at Louisiana Downs under the direction of trainer Jose Carrizlaes.

© Ann Switalski/ Louisiana Downs

BOSSIER CITY, LA–NOVEMBER 29, 2022–The racing office at Louisiana Downs is busy accepting stall applications for the 2023 live Quarter Horse season, which begins on January 5.

The deadline for horsemen and women to submit their applications is Wednesday, November 30 (link below).

With one more month to go in 2022, trainer Jose Carrizales took a moment over Thanksgiving weekend to acknowledge his gratitude for his success.

The 25-year-old was honored last April at Louisiana Downs as he picked up his third consecutive leading training title. With just 20 horses in training when he began his career in 2018, he has garnered well-deserved attention for his dedication and accomplishments with both older horses and juveniles.

"When I first began training, I wasn’t sure how long it would take to win big races and have some stakes-level horses in my barn," said Carrizales. "I just felt that if I worked hard, everything would take care of itself."

His first victory came on November 28, 2018, at Evangeline Downs with La Cletita, a 4-year-old filly who lit up the toteboard at odds of 78-1 in a $7,500 claimer. Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. had the call and the two men forged a bond that has strengthened deeply over the last four years. 

Jockey Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. and trainer Jose Carrizales forged a bond over the last four years.
© Coady Photography

Just one week later, Carrizales entered SS Classyjess in a maiden for owner Edgar Rosales. With Hernandez in the saddle, the striking gray daughter of Rock Solid Jess, broke her maiden as the favorite.  It was the first of 25 trips to the winner’s circle at seven racetracks in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. Ten of her victories came at Louisiana Downs.

On November 19 at Lone Star Park, the classy mare wrapped up her career with a resounding score the $56,000 Yellow Rose Of Texas Stakes at Lone Star Park. It was her third consecutive victory in that stakes.

Carrizales announced that she will embark on a second career as a broodmare, with an incredible record of 25 wins from 50 starts and earnings of $545,684.

"She’s always been an honest mare," stated Carrizales. "So many great wins against really good company. I’ve seen her dig in a ‘bob it out’ and not just against fillies and mares. In the (2020) $100,000 Nevil Stakes (at Lone Star Park), she held off Mr Tereso. We waited seven minutes before they declared her the winner! To finish her career with such an amazing performance in the Yellow Rose meant a lot to us."

But the year is far from over for the young horseman!  On Friday, November 25, he saddled another promising filly, Five Bar Panther in a trial to the to the richest Quarter Horse race in Louisiana, the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity. The daughter of Five Bar Cartel crossed the wire of the 400-yard trial in :19.806 seconds, earning a berth to the final as the seventh-fastest qualifier. The final will take place on Saturday, December 17 at Evangeline Downs.

"She has matured as the year went on," stated Carrizales. "We felt she had potential as she is always one of our fastest 2-year-olds out of the gate, and has really come around at the right time! This will be my first time to qualify for a million dollar futurity!"

Once the Evangeline Downs live racing season wraps up, his focus will be on readying his stock for the 46-day Louisiana Downs meet.

"Winning the leading trainer title at Louisiana Downs has brought me many new owners and  I am very grateful," he said. "Every year, my stable has grown and I will have 70 horses at Louisiana Downs for the upcoming meet.  I am very thankful to have accomplished so much in a short period of time!"

Stall Applications for the 2023 Quarter Horse Meet Due on November 30 

The 2023 Quarter Horse live racing season will get underway at Louisiana Downs on Thursday, January 5. The 46-day meet will conclude on Saturday, April 1. Live racing will be conducted Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Post time will be 1:35 p.m. (Central).

Stall applications are due by Wednesday, November 30 and the barn area will open on Saturday, December 10.  Nomination forms for the Maiden Classic and Louisiana Downs Starter Series are available at the Louisiana Downs racing office or by contacting Matt Crawford at 318-741-2511 or assistant racing secretary Tammy Peck at 318-752-6453.

CLICK HERE to download the 2023 QH Stall Application.

About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. 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.