Apollitical Joy and jockey Jorge Garcia draw clear late to win the $28,400 Esplanade Stakes at Delta Downs Thursday night.

© Hodges Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA–AUGUST 6, 2026–Apollitical Joy earned his first career stakes victory Thursday night with a 1 1/2-length score in the $28,400 Esplanade Stakes at Delta Downs.

Ridden by Jorge Garcia, Apollitical Joy completed the 400 yards in :19.763, earning a 99 speed index over a fast track. The 4-year-old gelding bumped early before dueling for the lead and drawing clear late.

Apollitical Joy is owned and trained by Oswaldo Hernandez. Bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto Inc., the bay gelding is sired by leading sire Apollitical Jess and out of the Walk Thru Fire mare Chalalita.

Marking his first stakes victory, Apollitical Joy improved his career record to 14-4-4-2. The $15,000 winner's share boosted his lifetime earnings to $55,379. The Esplanade Stakes carried a race value of $28,400, including a Louisiana-bred supplement.

The winning connections of Apollitical Joy. © Hodges Photography

Engine Victory surged late under jockey Ubaldo Luna to get up for second, finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner in :20.008 for a 93 speed index.

Owned by Rene Adan Rodriguez and trained by Luis Martinez Jr., Engine Victory was bred by Gary Aber. The gelding is sired by Freighttrain B and out of the Stoli mare Stoli Victory.

Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Louisiana Classic Stakes (G2), Engine Victory now has a record of 38-7-5-5 with earnings of $148,870. He also finished fifth in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes (G2).

Leaving Coyame rallied from seventh to finish third under jockey Eddi Martinez. The gelding closed late to complete the distance in :20.027 for a 92 speed index, finishing a head behind Engine Victory.

Leaving Coyame is a homebred for owner Carlos Levario and is also trained by Martinez. Sired by Coronas Leaving You, he is out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Dressed To Kill. He has compiled a record of 22-5-1-4 with earnings of $122,925. His biggest victory came in last year's Louisiana Champions Day Derby (G3).

Syms Sin Tacha, Lrh Henry T, Rogue Candy and El Turista completed the order of finish. Rogues Fast Prize was scratched.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.