News - Headlines March  29, 2024

Jessa Louisiana Zoom(s) To Fastest $273,977 LQHBA Lassie Futurity Time


Jockey Danny Lavergne rides Jessa Louisiana Zoom to the fastest time from 13 trials contested Friday night for the $75,000-added LQHBA Lassie Futurity(RG2) at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—APRIL 24, 2015—Making her first career start, Jessa Louisiana Blue rolled to impressive 1¼ length win at Delta Downs Friday night while posting the top qualifying time for the $273,977 LQHBA Lassie Futurity(RG2).

The 10 fastest Louisiana-bred two-year-old fillies, from the 122 who participated in 13 trials Friday night at Delta Downs, will return to the Southwestern Louisiana racetrack on Friday, May 13th to vie for the winner's purse worth $136,988.

After breaking from the gate in third position, Jessa Louisiana Zoom began a powerful rally under jockey Danny Lavergne that put her in front with 100 yards to go in the 330-yard test. By the time she hit the finish line she was 1-1/4 lengths to the good of runner-up First Kool Lajolla and well on her way to a promising future. Jessa Louisiana Zoom stopped the clock in :16.676 seconds while running on a fast track. She earned a speed index of 91 for her effort.

Racing for Jason Richards and Michael LeBlanc, the Jess Louisiana Blue filly is a $22,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate. Lyle Guillory bred the brown filly from the Azoom mare Zoomin For Cash. Four-time champion Corona Cash is the second dam.

First Kool Lajolla, sixth in the Harrah's Entertainment Futurity(G3) on March 21, put in a late rush in the same heat to finish second after being bothered in the stretch, under jockey Francisco Calderon. The First N Kool filly, from the Steakin La Jolla mare Lauri La Jolla, stopped the timer with the second fastest time of :16.826 seconds. Jose Garcia trains the bay filly for owner Jose Guzman. Shelby Judice bred the filly with a (3) 1-1-0 record and $19,545 in earnings.

First time starter Patriots Leaving You, an $8,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, won the first trial by one-length to get the third fastest time of :16.877. The daughter of Coronas Leaving You is the first foal of a Game Patriot half-sister to stakes winners Dashing Obsession, Dashing Rio Doc and Rio River Warrior. Miguel Rodriguez trains the bay filly for Shortstop Racing. Bred by Darling Farm LLC, Patriots Leaving You was ridden by Randy Edison.

For a complete list of LQHBA Lassie finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Reigning Delta Downs champion jockey John Hamilton had a night to remember as he booted home six winners on the 13-race card Friday. Hamilton is attempting to win his fourth consecutive leading rider title this season.

Delta Downs will close out its first week of American Quarter Horse racing on Saturday night with a 14-race program that features a special early post time of 5:15 pm CT. The entire program will consist of qualifying trials for this year’s $283,382 Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2) which will be run on Saturday, May 16.

For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’.

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