Jessies First Down rolls in Leo Stakes

Jessies First Down, the two-time world champion Quarter Horse, won his first start of the year Saturday night at Remington Park, where he rolled by two lengths in the Grade 1, $100,000 Leo Stakes.

Firing Tools finished second, while it was a head back to Koolnfamous in third.

The Leo was a 400-yard race for 3-year-olds and up.

Jessies First Down, who is now 7, last raced Dec. 31 in the Grade 1 Championship at Sunland Park. He finished third but was placed second following a disqualification. Prior to the start, Jessies First Down, who broke slowly at Sunland, won the Grade 1 All American Gold Cup at Ruidoso, the Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship, and the Grade 1 Zia Park Distance Championship.

In the Leo, he broke on top and increased his advantage at every point of call while winning the race on a fast track in 19.30 seconds. Rodrigo Vallejo was aboard for Ted Abrams and trainer Jimmy Padgett.

Jessies First Down is a winner of 16 of 35 starts and an earner of more than $1 million. He is the reigning world champion.