Louisiana-based stallion Hard Aces was represented by his first stakes winner last week when Spinning Aces captured the Nov. 10 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs.
Racing in third early, Spinning Aces advanced to take command and was determined through the stretch, defeating Awesome Ruta by a neck. He raced seven furlongs over a sloppy track under Joel Dominguez in 1:27.86, posting an 82 Equibase Speed Figure. He paid $19.80 to win in taking the open, $100,000 stakes event.
Spinning Aces, a 2-year-old gelding bred by Gerald Averett Jr. in Louisiana out of the Afternoon Deelites mare Just Alex, is 2-0-1 in three starts with earnings of $89,540 for owner Lynne Boutte and trainer Allen Landry.
Hard Aces, a millionaire by Hard Spun , won the 2015 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (G1) in his top achievement for owner Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler. In subsequent years, he added the 2016 Cougar II Handicap (G3) at Del Mar and the 2017 Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.
He was retired after running 11th in the Berkeley Handicap (G3) at Golden Gate Fields in November 2017 and went to stud the following year at Averett Farm in Louisiana.
Hard Aces is ranked 19th among Louisiana sires by progeny earnings in 2023 through Nov. 14. The 13-year-old stood this year for an advertised fee of $2,000.
