News - Headlines March  28, 2024

Trainer Mike Taylor Saddles 1-2 Finishers In $298,012 Louisiana Lassie Futurity


Louisiana Jewels, under jockey Gilbert Ortiz, winning the $298,012 Louisiana Lassie Futurity(RG2) at Delta Downs Friday night.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—MAY 20, 2016—Trainer Mike Taylor saddled the 1-2 finishers, Louisiana Jewels and Fast Dashin Dee, in the $298,012 Louisiana Lassie Futurity(RG2) at Delta Downs Friday night. Jess A Little Star finished third.

Jockey Joe Badilla, Jr. chose to ride second fastest qualifier Fast Dashin Dee (7-1) in the final, giving Gilbert Ortiz the ride on Louisiana Jewels (18-1).

Fast Dashin Dee went to lead earlier but could not hold off a solid rally from her stablemate who completed the 300 yards in :16.733 seconds to win by three-quarters. The time was equal to a 90 speed index.

Trainer Mike Taylor conditions the daughter of leading sire Jess Louisiana Blue for owner Harlow Stables, LLC. The $42,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale Graduate is out of the RG2 wining First Down Jewel mare Jewels Fortune and is a half-sister to Evangeline Downs Derby winner Cartels Fortune and restricted graded-placed winners Wranglers Fortune and The Renaissance Man. Jerry West is the breeder.

The winning connections of Louisiana Jewels accept the Louisiana Lassie Futurity(RG2) trophy at Delta Downs Friday night. © Coady Photography
The brown filly entered the finals with the fourth fastest time from the April 29th trials when she also won by three-quarters. With a 2-for-2 record, Louisiana Jewels earned $149,006 in the Lassie Futurity to boost her career total to $158,006.

Also trained by Taylor, Fast Dashin Dee races for owner Ten For Ten, LLC. A $25,000 LQHBA Yearling graduate, Fast Dashin Dee is by leading sire Heza Fast Dash from the First Down Dash mare Jump Down First, the dam of G3 winner Jump Down Azoom and a sister to G1 winner Tac It Like a Man, stakes winners Flash First and Imjumpn.

Bred by Jeffrey Lee Jones Fast Dashin Dee is 1-1-0 in two starts and used the $50,622 runner-up check to boost her earnings to nearly $60,000.

Jess A Little Star finished a nose back in third for owner Juan Bazaldua and trainer Adrian Huitron. Already a two-time winner this season, and fourth in the RG2 Mardi Gars Futurity in March, Jess A Little Star has earned $61,516.

Jockey Gilbert Ortiz congratulatues trainer Mike Taylor after their win in the Lassie Futurity Friday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography
Bred by J & B Rental, Inc. the Jess An Idea filly is the first foal from the stakes winning Mr Eye Opener mare Little Eye Opener. This is the family of three-time champion Kool Kue Baby. Damian Martinez had the riding assignment.

Coronas Prize Dolly, San Lorenzo Lady, Tdz Wave To Me Baby, Corazon Dfuego, RDD Champagne Dash and Im La Leaving completed the field.

Fans who backed Louisiana Jewels at the wagering window were rewarded to payoffs of $38 to win, $13 to place and $6.80 to show. Fast Dashin Dee was worth $7 to place and $5.20 to show. Jess a Little Star paid $4.20 to show.

Delta Downs will close out its fifth week of live racing on Saturday night. The track will host two stakes races on the program including the $281,007 Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2) and the $25,000 Delta 550 Stakes. There will also be a special guest in attendance as Q Racing Ace Martha Claussen will appear on the Delta Downs simulcast show as a racing analyst, handicapper and co-host.

For more information about the current 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.

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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.

Courtesy Ses