San Lorenzo Princess has been installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the $25,000 French Quarter Stakes.

© Hodges Photography

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA–AUGUST 5, 2026–Delta Downs will spotlight some of Louisiana's top older Quarter Horses on Thursday evening, as an eight-race program features two $25,000 stakes races. First post is set for 6:15 p.m., with the $25,000 French Quarter Stakes and the $25,000 Esplanade Stakes as the evening's main attractions.

The featured action kicks off in race four with the $25,000 French Quarter Stakes, where a field of six talented fillies and mares, ages three and older, will sprint 330 yards. The race is scheduled to leave the gate at approximately 7:40 p.m. and will bring together a competitive group led by one of Louisiana's most consistent mares.

San Lorenzo Princess has been installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite after an impressive run of performances. The four-year-old mare has finished off the board only once in her last six starts and enters the race off a narrow nose defeat in the Flashy Hemp Stakes. In 13 career starts, she has recorded five victories, four runner-up finishes, and one third-place effort, earning $159,972 for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr., who purchased her for $40,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

The Louisiana-bred daughter of Apollitical Blood is out of the Corona Cartel mare Princess of Torts and was bred by Darrell Williams.

Looking to challenge the favorite is Jrs Jeeses Cartel, the 5-2 second choice on the morning line. The talented three-year-old filly enters the race on momentum after defeating San Lorenzo Princess in the $50,000 Flashy Hemp Stakes. She has made four starts this season, winning twice and finishing third in her other two outings, including races against older competition. Overall, she has five wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 13 career starts, earning $115,220.

Owned by partners John A. Obregon and David Bustamante, the daughter of Majestic Cartel is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Ms Jesse Belle and was bred in Louisiana by Julien R. Stevens III. Bustamante also trains the filly and will send her from the rail with Randy Edison, Jr. aboard.

Later in the evening, race seven features the $25,000 Esplanade Stakes, with eight runners aged three and older set to line up for a 400-yard dash at approximately 9:10 p.m.

Leading the field is Leaving Coyame, the 5-2 morning-line favorite. The four-year-old gelding has consistently competed against some of the toughest competition in Louisiana. Most recently, he finished a strong third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Classic Stakes after winning the Grade 3 Louisiana Champions Day Derby in his sophomore campaign. The accomplished gelding has won five races and earned $122,925 for owner and breeder Carlos Levario.

The son of Coronas Leaving You is out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Dressed to Kill and is trained by Luis R. Martinez, Jr. Breaking from the outside post eight, he will again have Eddi E. Martinez in the saddle as he looks to add another stakes victory to his résumé.

Thursday's program features two competitive stakes races with accomplished Louisiana-breds and proven stakes performers, promising an entertaining evening of Quarter Horse racing. Whether it's the talented mares battling in the French Quarter Stakes or the seasoned older runners lining up in the Esplanade Stakes, fans can expect fast times and exciting finishes as Delta Downs showcases some of the region's top equine talent

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

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