News - Racing March  29, 2024

Jessa Louisiana Zoom Stays Perfect with Lee Berwick Futurity Victory


Jessa Louisiana Zoom, under jockey Danny Lavergne, winning the RG1 $634,530 Lee Berwick Futurity at Delta Downs on Saturday.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JULY 11, 2015—Jason Richards and Michael Leblanc's Jessa Louisiana Zoom kept her record a perfect 4-for-4 Saturday night when she cruised to a half-length victory over Shining Presence in the Restricted Grade 1 $634,530 Lee Berwick Futurity at Delta Downs. Laddie Futurity(RG2) winner The Renaissance Man finished another half-length back in third.

Jockey Danny Lavergne came out of retirement to ride the daughter of champion Jess Louisiana Blue after breaking her last fall. The brown filly broke on top tonight and proved the best under Leavergne as she completed the 350 yards in :17.524 seconds, a 90-speed index.

It was the second futurity win for the Frank Cavazos trainee who won the Lassie Futurity(RG2) in May. The $317,265 Lee Berwick winner's purse swelled her bankroll to $473,153.

Richards and Leblanc purchased the filly for $22,000 from breeder Lyle Guillory at last summer's LQHBA Yearling Sale in Kinder. They paid homage to the filly's second dam champion Corona Cash who past away a couple of weeks ago in Brazil. Last year the pair raced a Grade 2 winning daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue out of Corona Cash, to six wins and $186,206 in earnings.

Winning owners Jason Richards and Michael Leblanc host the Lee Berwick Futrity stakes trophy on Saturday at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography
Cavazos has been impressed by his trainee for quite some time, but on Saturday night he noticed a new wrinkle in her game.

“She left the gate very good today,” Cavazos said in the winner’s circle after the race. “I think it was the best she’s ever broke.”

Cavazos also trained Jessa Louisiana Zoom’s maternal grandsire, who was a multiple grade I winning runner who earned over $738,000 during his illustrious racing career. Obvious comparisons are now being made between Azoom and his young progeny. “She runs a lot like him,” Cavazos said.

Sent to the gate as an odds-on favorite, Jessa Louisiana Zoom paid $3.80 to win, $3.80 to place and $2.60 to show. Shining Presence was worth $5.40 to place and $3.80 to show. The Renaissance Man returned $2.60 to show.

Winless in three starts, Shining Presence earned $107,870 for his runner-up effort. Kenneth Roberts, Sr. trains the First To Shine gelding for owner Rodney Verret. Donald Watson had the riding assignment aboard the gelding out of Provocative Presence, by Daunting Presence. Charles and Irma Lyles is the breeder.

Mrs. Lee Berwick presents the winning connections the Lee Berwick Futurity stakes trophy. © Coady Photography
Laddie Futurity(RG2) runner-up The Renaissance Man boosted his earnings mark past $130,500 after pocketing $63,453 for his third place finish. Chad Hart and Bobby D. Cox own the son of Coronas Leaving You 2-year-old out of Jewels Fortune, by First Down Fortune. Also trained by Roberts, the gelding sold in the LQHBA Yearling Sale for $13,000. Patrick Watson was aboard the Jerry West Louisiana-bred runner.

It’s a Storm Warning, Louisiana Fast Dash, Streakin Bye U, Fast Ladys Man, No Mas Pantalones and One Fast Jet completed the field. Toast To Catch was scratched.

Blues Favorite Fish Prevails in Louisiana Juvenile Invitational

Blues Favorite Fish raced to her third consecutive win when she defeated Heisa Hot Ticket in the $50,000 Louisiana Juvenile Invitational. Orlando Baldillez rode the Jess Louisiana Blue filly for owner Lyle Guillory and trainer Joseph Manucy. Best late, the filly was timed in :17.535 seconds over the 350 yards course to earn a 90-speed index.

Blues Favorite Fish defeats Heisa Hot Ticket in the $50,000 Louisiana Juvenile Invitational. © Coady Photography
Bred by Carl Guillory, Jr., from the Fishers Dash mare Two Left Rings, Blues Favorite Fish earned $30,000 to boost her earnings to $55,200. The gray filly was $7,000 repurchase at the LQHBA summer yearling sale.

Kenny Roberts Sr. saddled Heisa Hot Ticket to his second place finish for owner Charles Boudreaux, Jr. Jim and Natalie Montgomery bred the Coronas Leaving You gelding from the Jody O Toole mare Hottesticketintown. Donald Watson was up to earn $10,000. Roberts purchased Heisa Hot Ticket as Agent at the LQHBA Summer Sale for $21,000.

The winning connections of Blues Favorite Fish accept the Louisiana Juvenile Invitational trophy. © Coady Photography
David Alvarez rode Jess Blueby Lena to his third place effort for owner Rosalio Espinosa. Martin Trejo conditions the Jess Louisiana Blue colt out of Call Me Lenas Girl, by Call Me Together. Bred by Hall Davis IV, the brown colt earned $5,500 for his effort. He is a $17,000 LQHBA Yearling graduate.

Carry On Game, Ricky Rockstar, An American Outlaw and Tf Magical Fritz completed the Juvenile field. Dashingpastya was scratched.

Delta Downs will now be dark until its 2015-16 Thoroughbred season gets underway on Friday, October 16. Fans can still enjoy full card simulcasting from coast to coast in the track’s OTB seven days a week.

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