07/31/2021..VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its 2021 American Quarter Horse season on Saturday with a special 10-race program billed as Louisiana Showcase Day. The exciting afternoon of racing included eight stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses and the richest race of the year, the $826,620 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).
– TALENTED COLT COMES FROM BEHIND TO WIN RICHEST RACE OF THE YEAR –
The Lee Berwick field of nine was headed by Rojas Racing Stables, LLC’s Blood Money, who recorded the fastest 350-yard qualifying time during two days of trials back on July 9 and 10. Blood Money also brought an undefeated record of three wins in as many starts into the race including a score in the $346,842 Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2) earlier in the season.
All eyes were on the 3-5 wagering favorite as the field left the gate, but Blood Money did not have the fastest of starts as San Lorenzeaux grabbed the early lead in the 350-yard test for 2-year-olds. As the pair opened a clear advantage on the rest of the field, Blood Money began to rally and dug in with determination as the wire got closer and closer. When the pair hit the finish line the outcome was still in doubt.
After the race, the photo sign was lit on the tote board and it was a few moments before a cheer went up from the crowd as Blood Money was declared the winner. His final margin of victory was just a head over San Lorenzeaux, who fought his heart out in defeat.
Blood Money covered the distance over a fast track in 17.296 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 98.
After the race Valdez described the tremendous attributes of his incredible trainee. “He’s not hot tempered like a lot of the Apollitical Bloods; he’s always been calm, almost a lazy horse, but on the racetrack he’s something special!”
Blood Money earned $413,310 for his win in the Lee Berwick and now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $601,131. The Lee Berwick total purse of $826,620 marked the richest race ever won by Blood Money’s trainer, Rosendo Valdez, and jockey, Everardo Rodriguez, who also won his second riding title at Delta Downs this season.
Bred in Louisiana by Spring Hill Farms LLC, Blood Money is by Apollitical Blood, out of the Shazoom mare Zoom to the Money. He was purchased for $17,000 at the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Yearling Sale in 2020.
Sent to the gate as the prohibitive favorite, Blood Money paid $3.40 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. San Lorenzeaux returned $7.20 to place and $7.40 to show. Tdz Royal Runaway was worth $5.20 to show.
There was a big upset in this year’s $203,122 Delta Downs Derby won by 22-1 longshot Sir Louisiana Dash under jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. The winner of last year’s Laddie Futurity at Delta Downs was overlooked by the public but ran a huge race from the inside post position in a field of 10 competing at 400 yards.
Sir Louisiana Dash, a 3-year-old who is owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and trained by Hector Alcala, has now won three of eight career starts. He earned $101,561 on Saturday and now boasts a career bankroll of $305,881.
Christopher A. Villatoro’s 4-year-old gelding Apollitical B Snow won the $75,000 Louisiana Classic under jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. The win kept the Rosendo Valdez, Jr. trainee perfect on the season as he also took the Open Me A Corona Stakes and the Miss Polly Classic earlier in the meet. Overall, Apollitical B Snow now has six wins from 17 career starts.
The $75,000 Louisiana Juvenile Stakes serves as a consolation for the horses who just missed making into the Lee Berwick Futurity and it was won by BM AQ Racing LLC’s filly Shesa Knockoutcartel with jockey Everardo Rodriguez in the saddle for trainer Martin Trejo. Shesa Knockoutcartel broke her maiden with the score after finish second in her two previous starts before Louisiana Showcase Day.
Racing Kane won the $50,000 Live Oak Stakes with Bobby Ransom in the saddle for trainer Telma Loya and owner Jesus Coronado. The win was Racing Kane’s ninth from 35 career starts for the 7-year-old gelding.
This year’s $50,000 Live Oak Stakes was won by Patrick Richardson’s 3-year-old filly Sheza Freighttrain T with jockey Rolando Pina in the saddle. The Eric Long trainee has now won eight of 13 lifetime starts and her career bankroll grew to $413,259 after taking home $30,000 on Saturday afternoon.
The $50,000 Flying Breed Stakes was the shortest event of the day at 220 yards and it was Todd Matte’s 4-year-old horse Love the Way You Fly who came through with flying colors under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr. The Trey Ellis trainee broke fast and never looked back on his way to a 103 speed index in the short dash.
And finally, the $40,000 Louisiana Starter was taken by Jessbye Train under leading jockey Everardo Rodriguez. The Rosendo Valdez, Jr. trainee has now won three races in a row and six-of-14 during his career. The 4-year-old gelding is owned by Delta Downs leading owner this season, Rosendo Valdez.
Delta Downs will now be dark until it’s 2021-22 Thoroughbred season begins on October 13. The track will host live racing each Wednesday and Thursday at 12:55 pm Central Time and on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 5:55 pm.
For more information about Delta Downs 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.
