Doin It Just For Fun Wins the $50,000 Gentilly Dash Stakes In A Three Way Photo Finish

NEW ORLEANS, LA–AUGUST 16, 2024–Doin It Just For Fun made a late push at the wire for the win in the $50,000 Gentilly Dash Stakes at The Fair Grounds on Friday afternoon.

Jockey Juan Garcia Jr. piloted Doin It Just For Fun to his neck victory in a three-way photo finish over Onemorewildtrain, ridden by Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., followed by India De La Nieve, with Leonardo Rodriguez in the irons.

Doin It Just For Fun clocked an 89 speed index in 13.264 seconds into a four mph headwind. Trained by Heath Taylor, the post-time favorite's 250-yard victory paid $4.60 to win on 3-1 odds.

The $24,000 payday increased Doin It Jus For Fun's bankroll to $97,689 for owner-breeder Ted Abrams, Sr of Texas. The three-year-old son of FDD Dynasty has seven wins from 15 starts, and today's victory is his first in-stakes competition.

Doin It Just For Fun is a full brother to two-time World Champion and AQHA Supreme Race Horse Jessies First Down. He is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess A Classy Lassy,

Trainer Leonel Hernandez saddled runner-up Onemorewildtrain for owner Jose Carlos Lopez, who bought him for $11,000 in the 2021 LQHBA Yearling Sale. The five-time winning son of Freighttrain B has earned $144,916 from 17 starts. Riley Blanchet bred the four-year-old gelding in Louisiana out of One More Card by Carters Cartel.

Third-place finisher India De La Nieve has lit the board ten of 13 starts with five wins and $105,952 in earnings. Guillermo Martinez trained the three-year-old daughter of Bp Wagon Train for owner Rene Rodriguez. Jose Vera and Claudia Sanchez bred her out of Chita Deniebe by First Streakin Lee in Louisiana.

El Capi, Regardlezz, Dianetoseparatefromu, Goat Wagon, Jeg Fascination, Wagon Kisses and Geaux Party Geaux round out the order of finish.