News - Headlines March  28, 2024

Full Field Entered in Firecracker Derby


Fastest qualifier TLC Dale will head a full field in Friday's $194,810 Firecracker Derby on Friday at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

VINTON, LA—JUNE 27, 2016—A full field of 10 3-year-olds, headed by fastest qualifier TLC Dale, has been entered back in the 400-yard, $194,810 Firecracker Derby on Friday at Delta Downs.

A homebred son of The Louisiana Cartel racing for Rogelio Guajardo Garza, TLC Dale will be risking his four-race win streak in the Firecracker Derby. The gelding made his first-ever start at Delta on June 10, scoring a half-length victory as the 2-5 favorite in the third of four trials.

TLC Dale has won all four of his outs this season, including the 350-yard, $191,000 Sam Houston Derby (G3) on April 23. Manuel Gutierrez will ride the gelding for trainer Adrian Huitron on Friday.

Other contenders include Kaitlen Emfinger’s Not Perry Pretty, a graded stakes winning Dash Ta Fame filly trained by Michael Taylor. The sixth-fastest qualifier, Not Perry Pretty has won five of her six outs at Delta, including last year’s $318,000 Firecracker Futurity (G2) and $87,000 Old South Futurity.

Not Perry Pretty drew post 2 and will be ridden by David Alvarez.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments--

  1. King Brett (Donald Watson)
  2. Not Perry Pretty (David Alvarez)
  3. Brave Heart Won (Joe Badilla Jr.)
  4. Shez A Hot Valentine (John Hamilton)
  5. Mr Joe Perry (J.R. Ramirez)
  6. TLC Dale (Manuel Gutierrez)
  7. Slick Melody (Jose A. Beltran)
  8. Ricky Rockstar (Eddie Aceves)
  9. First Fancy Prize (Gilbert Ortiz)
  10. Ivan James (Raul Ramirez Jr.).

All Delta Downs races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.


Courtesy Ses