Xtra Races To Top Qualifying Time On Night Two of $744 302 Lee Berwick Futurity Trials at Delta Down

Xtra (#7), under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., catches fellow qualifier Jeg Fascination (#1) to set the fastest qualifying time on Night 2 of the Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) trials at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–JUNE 25, 2022–Xtra, a $67,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, got his second straight win on Saturday while posting the fastest time on the second night of trials for the $744,302 Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) at Delta Downs.

Saturday night's five qualifiers will join five other state-bred 2-year-olds who qualified from Friday's eight trials, to compete in the rich 350 yard Lee Berwick Futurity final on Delta Downs QH closing night card Saturday, July 16th.

Xtra was erratic, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr.,  then rallied to get up at the wire by a nose over Jeg Fascination and jockey Ali Rivera. The pair clocked the top two fastest times on night two with Xtra running :17.761 seconds into a 5 mph crosswind to become the top qualifier.

Trainer Josue Ponce conditions the son of champion sire Apollitical Blood for owner Tabasco Racing LLC.

"He ran a bit greenly in his Laddie trial so we decided to run him in a maiden (on May 27)," said Ponce. "He's improving each time and with his breeding, we knew he could handle the longer distance. He proved it tonight!"

Bred by Ryan and Jude Robicheaux, from the Jess Louisiana Blue mare First Lady B, Xtra ran second in his career debut May 6th, a trial for the Laddie Futurity. He followed that race with a maiden win on May 27th where he again rallied to win by half-a-length. In three starts the sorrel gelding has banked $21,800.

Xtra's dam is a half-sister to Mildred Vessels Memorial(G1) winner Terrific Energy. This is the family of champion Tinys First effort and Grade 1 winner Tinys First Down.

Bouncing off a sixth-place effort in the $310,695 Laddie Futurity(RG2), Jeg Fascination held on for the second fastest clocking Saturday of :17.780 seconds. Trainer Jose Lopez conditions the Freighttrain B homebred for owner-breeder Jesus Eden Garza.

Also a finalist in the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2), Jeg Fascination has compiled a (5) 1-2-0 record and banked $36,733. The sorrel filly is out of Ja Fascination by Mr Jess Prery.

Tonight's five qualifiers will join Friday's five qualifiers (see related story)–San Lorenzo Jet, Party Tyme, Tf One Sweet Wokatee, Konnan Cartel and San Lorenzo Train in the July 16 final. 

For a complete list of Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Preference is given to the fives fastest non-qualifying times from each day of the Lee Berwick Futurity time trials to runback in the $70,000-Guaranteed Louisiana Juvenile also to set on Saturday, July 16th. For a list of the five preferred horses from each night of trials CLICK HERE.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen. 

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About Delta Downs
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.

Delta Downs will conduct its ninth week of Quarter Horse racing next Wednesday through Saturday. First post time each evening will be at 6:15 pm. The week will include the Vals Fortune/Teddy Abrams Memorial Stakes race on Wednesday, trials for this year’s Delta Downs Derby on Thursday, and trails for the season’s richest race, the Lee Berwick Futurity, on Friday and Saturday nights.

For more information about the season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.