News - Racing March  28, 2024

Mega Hero Tops Firecracker Derby Trials


Mega Hero, under jockey Manuel Gutierrez, setting the fastest qualifying time in the Firecracker Derby trials Friday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 9, 2017—Coming off a win in the Old South Derby last month, Mega Hero kept his 3-year-old record a perfect 3-for-3 after a three-quarter length win in Firecracker Derby trials Friday night at Delta Downs.

Ridden by jockey Manuel Gutierrez, Mega Hero drifted in while completing the 400 yards in the fastest qualifying time of :19.608 seconds, a 97-speed index.

Jose Sanchez conditions the Texas-bred son of Jet Black Patriot for owner Double H Racing Investment, LLC. The brown gelding has compiled an (8) 5-2-0 record and earned $46,095.

Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC bred Mega Hero from the Separatist mare Separatist In View. He was also a finalist in the Grade 3 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity at Louisiana Downs last year.

The top three finishers in the first of three trials took the top three qualifying spots.

TQHA Sale Futurity(RG2) runner-up One Sweet Picky finished second to fastest qualifier Mega Hero to earn the second fastest time of :19.716 seconds, 94 speed index.

Jockey Luciano Duenez rode the One Sweet Jess filly for owner Ricardo Barrera. Rodolfo Sanchez conditions the Scarlett Hill Farm Inc. Texas-bred out of Sticky N Picky by Sticks An Stones. The bay filly has compiled a (8) 2-2-3 record while banking $86,745.

The $172,580 Firecracker Derby final will be contested on Friday, June 30th

For the complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Delta Downs will close out its eighth week of American Quarter Horse racing on Saturday night with another 10-race program that begins at 6:15 pm CT. Saturday’s action will include six qualifying trials for this year’s $274,325 Firecracker Futurity (G2).


Courtesy Ses