Ivan James Rallies to Win $194,810 Firecracker Derby
© Coady Photography
Ridden by jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr., Ivan James completed the 400 yards in a quick :19.352 seconds to earn a 103-speed index. Trainer Elpidio Luna, Jr. saddled the son of multiple stakes sire Ivory James to his fourth win in eight career starts.
A Texas home-bred for owner/breeder Jorge Meraz, Ivan James picked up $97,405 for the Firecracker win to become his sire's leading money earner with $395,817 in the bank. Last year's Sam Houston Futurity(G2) winner is out of the Dashin Bye mare First Dashin Bye. He was also third in Grade 2 Firecracker Futurity at 2.
The bay gelding is a homebred for owner Rogelio Garza from the Okey Dokey Dale mare Hallies Dale. Adrian Huitron trains with Manuel Gutierrez getting the riding assignment aboard the $130,235 money earner.
Also a stakes winner, Shez A Hot Valentine races for owner Jaime Flores and trainer Homar Garza. Ron Hanna bred the Walk Thru Fire filly in California from the Chicks A Blazin mare Double Down Baby. Ridden by John Hamilton, the gray filly earned $19,481 to boost her career total to $98,228.
Sent to the gate at odds of 8-1, Ivan James paid $18 to win, $6.40 to place and $4.20 to show. Tlc Dale was worth $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show. Shez a Hot Valentine returned $2.80 to show.
First Fancy Prize, Brave Heart Won, Slick Melody, Not Perry Pretty, King Brett, Ricky Rockstar and Mr Joe Perry completed the field.
Delta Downs will wrap up its next-to-last week of racing on Saturday night with another 10-race program that begins at 6:15 pm. The featured race will be the $271,950 Firecracker FuturityG2).
For more information about the upcoming 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.
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.