Aj Cyclone, a $100,000 Heritage Place graduate by Apollitical Jess enters the $160,500 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic as the 5-2 morning line favorite.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 16, 2026–The Saturday race card at Louisiana Downs will feature a seven-race program highlighted by the $160,500 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic Stakes, bringing together a competitive field of three-year-olds looking to capture a major victory early in their sophomore campaigns. The first race on the afternoon card is scheduled to begin at 1:35 PM, setting the stage for an exciting day of racing, while the feature event is slated as the sixth race with a scheduled post time of approximately 3:40 PM.

Aj Cyclone enters the final as the 5-2 morning line favorite after delivering a determined effort in the trial heats. The three-year-old gelding scored his maiden victory in the trials, winning by a neck in a gate-to-wire performance while holding off Eagles First Love in the closing strides. The victory continued a consistent career for the gelding, who has finished off the board only once in eight lifetime starts while earning $144,814.

Owner Dennis Dreier purchased Aj Cyclone for $100,000 at the Heritage Place Sale, and the investment has shown promise as the gelding continues to progress in his three-year-old season. Aj Cyclone is sired by Apollitical Jess and is out of Feature Jess Rockin by Feature Mr Jess. Bred in Oklahoma by Rancho El Cabresto, the gelding will break from post position five for trainer Jose A. Garcia with Jorge J. Garcia aboard.

Eagles First Love, who finished second to Aj Cyclone in the trials, returns as the 7-2 morning line second choice. The lightly raced three-year-old gelding showed improvement late in his juvenile season and broke his maiden in his final start at two when defeating $20,000 maiden claiming company.

Purchased for $25,000 at the Heritage Place Sale by JC Ranch, LLC., Eagles First Love is sired by Gold Heart Eagle V and out of Sugars First Love by Tempting Dash. The Texas-bred, bred by Poi Racing, will break from post three under jockey Adrian X. Morales for trainer Leonel Hernandez.

Ivorys Cartel enters as the third choice on the morning line at 9-2 odds following an impressive trial performance where he surged late to win his heat by a half-length. The gelding demonstrated strong closing ability in the trials and will look to repeat that effort in the final. Leading Rider Leonardo Rodriguez will guide Ivorys Cartel from post position nine.

The fastest qualifier from the February 24 trials, Peacemaker Return, returns to the gate listed at 6-1 odds. After posting the top qualifying time, he will look to carry that momentum into the final. Bobby Ransom will have the riding assignment as the pair break from post position two.

Ten sophomores earned their qualification to return from the February 24 trial heats and will line up for the 350-yard finale in the $160,500 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic Stakes, setting the stage for a competitive matchup among several improving three-year-olds at Louisiana Downs.

The races at Louisiana Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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

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