06/12/21..VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs conducted the second richest day of American Quarter Horse racing at Delta Downs for its 2021 season on Saturday afternoon. The nine-race program featured the $346,842 Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2) and the $318,983 Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2).

– SHEZA FAST BLOOD PULLS AWAY FOR EASY WIN IN THE $318,983 LASSIE FUTURITY –

The Laddie Futurity was won by Rojas Racing Stables, LLC’s Blood Money with jockey Everardo Rodriguez in the saddle for trainer Rosendo Vandez, Jr. The bay runner got away a step slow in the 330-yard test for 2-year-old Louisiana-bred colts and geldings before launching an eye-popping rally to win by a length over early leader Apollitical Tornado. Tdz Royal Runaway was along for third, another half-length behind the top pair.

Blood Money covered the distance of the Laddie in a time of 16.476 seconds while running over a fast track. The clocking equaled a speed index of 97.

Blood Money is now two-for-two in his career after also scoring a victory in his debut during the trials for the Laddie on May 22. He earned $173,421 for his futurity win and now has a bankroll of $180,621.

Bred in Louisiana by Spring Hill Farms LLC, Blood Money is 2-year-old colt by Apollitical Blood, out of the Shazoom mare Zoom To The Money. He was purchased for $17,000 at the 2020 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Yearling Sale.

Sent off as the favorite at odds of 8-5, Blood Money paid $5.60 to win, $4 to place and $3 to show. Apollitical Tornado returned $19.20 to place and $9.20 to show. Rdz Royal Runaway was worth $6.20 to show.

This year’s Lassie Futurity was won by the fastest qualifier, Sheza Fast Blood, who hopped at the start of the 330-yard showdown for 2-year-old fillies before pulling away to win by two lengths in a dominant performance under jockey Gilbert Ortiz. Sheza Fast Blood defeated Mp Sixty Silky, who finished second, while Jess Dash Fast was just a nose farther back in third.

Sheza Fast Blood, who is owned by Rayne Knight and trained by Michael Zingelmann, covered the distance of the Lassie Futurity in a time of 16.533 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 95.

The win by Sheza Fast Blood was the second of her three-race career. She earned $159,491 for the effort and now boasts a career bankroll of $161,151.

Bred in Louisiana by Nash Development LLC, Shez Fast Blood is a bay daughter of Apollitical Blood, out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Mcm Sheza Fast Cutie. She was purchased for $15,500 at the 2020 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Sent to the gate as the favorite at odds of 8-5, Sheza Fast Blood paid $5.20 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Mp Sixty Silky was worth $6.20 to place and $4.20 to show. Jess Dash Fast returned $3 to show.

Delta Downs will begin its sixth week of American Quarter Horse racing on Monday with a 10-race card that kicks off at 3 pm. The featured as is the $50,000 Miss Polly Classic.

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.