07/04/2020..VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted one of the richest programs of its 2020 American Quarter Horse season on Saturday night. The Independence Day card featured three stakes races including the $357,981 Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2), the $151,255 Old South Futurity and the $35,000 Develop A Plan Stakes.
The Laddie Futurity was won in smashing style by Rogelio Marquez’s Sir Louisiana Dash, who defeated Ought to Go Tee by a half-length. The pair came into the race with the fastest and second fastest qualifying times respectively and proved it was no fluke by dominating the race from start to finish. The previously undefeated El Camino Cl, who won the Mardi Gras Futurity earlier in the year, finished third another length behind the top pair.
The running time for Sir Louisiana in the 330-yard Laddie was 16.281 seconds, which earned him a staggering speed index of 106. The Jesus Marquez trainee posted a 99 speed index while breaking his maiden in the trails on June 13. Each race on the Saturday program at Delta Downs was run over a fast track.
Sir Louisiana Dash earned a tidy sum of $178,990 for his Laddie score and now has a bankroll of $184,990.
Bred in Louisiana by Tate Farms, Sir Louisiana Dash is a 2-year-old sorrel gelding by Sir Runaway Dash, out of the Separatist mare Ms Proverbial.
Sent to the gate as the 2-1 wagering favorite, Sir Louisiana Dash paid $6.80 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.40 to show. Ought to Go Tee was worth $4.20 to place and $2.80 to show. El Camino Cl returned $2.80 to show.
The $51,255 Old South Futurity was taken by Whatahistoric Moment under jockey Everardo Rodriguez. Owned and bred in Texas by Mercy Hinklin Horse Farm, LLC and trained by Lanny Keith, Whatahistoric Moment defeated Card One Starter by a neck while When Eagles Fly wound up third another neck behind the top pair.
The win by Whatahistoric Moment was the second of his three-race career. He also won his trial while posting the fourth fastest qualifying time. His bankroll now stands at $79,211 after earning $75,628 in the Old South Futurity.
Whatahistoric Moment is a 2-year-old gelding by Fdd Going Grand, out of the Jet Black Patriot mare Jetblack Gold Moment.
And finally, this year’s grade 3 $35,000 Develop A Plan Stakes was won by Rancho FL, LLC’s Featuring Fast Jess under jockey Noe Castaneda. The Robi Meche trainee defeated Gunsmoke B by just a nose with race favorite Dlj Imma B Famous finishing third, another head behind.
Featuring Fast Jess has now won seven of 19 career starts and earned a total of $289,192. The 5-year-old sorrel gelding is by Heza Fast Dash, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Featuringmissjess. He was bred in Louisiana by Jumonville Farms/Burnett Ranch.
Delta Downs will begin its fifth week of American Quarter Horse racing on Wednesday with a nine-race program that begins at 5:15 pm CT.
For more information about the season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.
