Delta Downs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY APRIL 26, 2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CONTACT DON STEVENS
337-589-7441 EXT. 1268
                                                                                                                                                     
RF FAST DASH N JESS WINS THE OPEN ME A CORONA STAKES; SAN LORENZO DASH TAKES THE DELTA DASH ON OPENING NIGHT AT DELTA DOWNS

PAPPACITO QUALIFIES FASTEST FOR THE $108,615 OLD SOUTH DERBY


VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs kicked off its 2023 American Quarter Horse season on Friday night with a nine-race program featuring two stakes races and four qualifying trials. The $40,000 Open Me a Corona Stakes was won by Rf Fast Dash N Jess while San Lorenzo Dash took the $20,000 Delta Dash. The fastest qualifier from the Old South trials was Pappacito.

Rf Fast Dash N Jess was ultra-impressive in the Open Me a Corona under jockey Arturo Alvarez. The Xavier Scott trainee broke from post five in a field 10 as he attempted to win his fourth race in a row. Halfway through his journey he began to open up on the field and won going away, hitting the finish line ¾ of a length in front of runner-up Tm Dee First Bar. Jjs Lace was a game third, finishing another neck behind the top pair. Rf Fast Dash N Jess covered 350-yards in a time of 17.518 seconds while running on a fast track. The time earned him a speed index of 94.

Owned by CB Racing Stables, Rf Fast Dash N Jess has now won five of 15 career starts. He earned $24,000 on Friday night which raised his career bankroll to $113,151.

Bred in Louisiana by Rogers Farm of Tim and Jennie Rogers, Rf Fast Dash N Jess is a 4-year-old sorrel gelding by One Sweet Jess, out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Fast Dash N Deb.

Sent to the gate at odds of 9-2, Rf Fast Dash N Jess returned $11.20 to win, $7.20 to place and $5.80 to show. Tm Dee First Bar paid $6.40 to place and $4.40 to show. Jjs Lace was worth $23.20 to show.

The win by San Lorenzo Dash in the Delta Dash Stakes gave jockey Ubaldo Luna a riding double on the program as he guided the Jesus Marquez trainee to a ½ length win over Mp Dont Look while Swags finished another length back in third. The winner covered 250 yards, after breaking from the rail, in a time of 12.969 seconds. That time equaled a speed index of 97.

Owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr., San Lorenzo Dash has now won seven of 18 career starts. Her $12,000 paycheck on Friday boosted her career bankroll to $121,014.

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, San Lorenzo Dash is a 4-year-old sorrel mare by Heza Fast Dash, out of the One Famous Eagle mare San Lorenzo Eagle.

Pappacito won the first trial for the Old South Derby and in the process recorded the fastest time of the night, 17.720 seconds over 350 yards. His tally came with jockey Gilbert Ortiz in the saddle for owner Robin L. Redding and trainer Heath Taylor.

Pappacito has now won three of six career starts and his score in the Old South trials came while making his 3-year-old debut. Bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, Pappacito is a gray gelding by Ivory James, out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apolitical Pac.

Each trail for the Old South Derby carried a purse of $5,000 with each winner taking home $3,000. The final is worth total purse money of $108,615 and will be contested on Friday, May 19.

Listed below are the 10 qualifiers for this year’s Old South Derby from the fastest time down.

            Horse                                      Jockey                                    Trainer                                   Time
1           Pappacito                               Gilbert Ortiz                           Heath Taylor                          17.720
2          Mr Carter                                Jorge Garcia                           Roberto G. Madrical              17.865
3          Pk Pure Rogue                       Ubaldo Luna                           Dustin Rhodes                       17.879
4          This Train Flies                       Juan Garcia, Jr.                       Dwayne Breaux                     17.883
5          Favorite Racie                        Guadalupe Lucio, Jr.               Noe Sanchez                         17.889
6          Im First in Firstout                 Leonardo Rodriguez              Jose Luis Sanchez III             17.892
7          Lil Freighttrain                       Benito Baca                            Jose Luis Sanchez III             17.897
8          Moon Diamond                      Benito Baca                            Jose Luis Sanchez III             17.946
9          Feature Five Bar                    Jorge Garcia                           Guadalupe Garza                  17.954
10        Good Racy Eyes                     J. R. Ramirez                           Luis Daniel Garcia                 17.957

Delta Downs will conclude its opening weekend of racing on Saturday night with another nine-race program starting at 6:15 pm. The action will include nine trials for this year’s $170,840 Old South Futurity. Fans who show up early will also be treated to a special event, as the track will host four races for Corgi dogs competing on the racetrack starting at 3 pm. The Family Fun activity will feature free admission, several food trucks, and free dog race programs for all in attendance. This is a non-pari-mutuel activity.

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.

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