4/22/2017..VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out opening weekend for its 2017 American Quarter Horse season on Saturday with an 11-race program that featured the $50,000 Open Me a Corona Stakes and six trials for this year’s $81,430 Old South Futurity.
The Open Me a Corona was taken by T M Ranch’s Heza Louisiana Dash under jockey Gilbert Ortiz. The Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr. trainee broke sharp in the 350-yard dash and lead every step of the way, winning by ¾’s of a length over Cute Mic Jagger. Jes a Fast Dasher finished another neck behind the runner-up in third.
Heza Louisiana Dash covered the distance over a fast track in 17.386 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 97.
The win by Heza Louisiana Dash marked the 10th of his 21-race career. Ironically, several of his losses were to Open Me a Corona in 2016. Heza Louisiana Dash earned $30,000 for his exploits on Saturday night which raised his career bankroll to $381,641.
Heza Louisiana Dash is a 5-year-old gelding by Heza Fast Dash, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Eyejesslovelouisiana. He was bred in the Bayou State by Jumonville Farms/Burnett Ranch.
Sent to the gate as the 3-5 favorite in a field of eight, Heza Louisiana Dash paid $3.20 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show. Cute Mic Jagger was worth $2.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Jes a Fast Dash returned $4.20 to show.
The star of the Old South Futurity trials was The Cartel Warrior, who recorded the fastest qualifying time of 16.880 for 330 yards while winning the fourth of six trials during the night. The Brian Stroud trainee was ridden to victory by Donald ‘Jimmy’ Guynes. The Cartel Warrior is owned by Flat Broke Racing.
Listed below are all 10 qualifiers for this year’s $81,430 Old South Futurity from the fastest time down. The Old South final will take place on Saturday, May 13.
Horse Jockey Trainer Time
1 The Cartel Warrior Donald Guynes Brian Stroud 16.880
2 Dezignator Floriberto Maldonado Robert Touchet 16.926
3 Dont Temp Me Eduardo Luviano Rodolfo Sanchez 16.950
4 Emnent David Alvarez Kenneth Roberts, Sr. 16.957
5 Sixes Flash Rolando Cabrera Erasmo Hernandez 16.959
6 Aguila Noe Castaneda Kenneth Roberts, Sr. 16.962
7 Lees Dasher Gilbert Ortiz John Stinebaugh 16.964
8 Tres Seis Flare Santiago Mendez Trey Ellis 16.982
9 Moon Dash Cartel Edgar Baca Raul Rodriguez 17.033
10 Capital Jimbob Rene Gutierrez Wendy Garcia 17.139
For more information about the new season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.
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.
