News - Racing March  28, 2024

Jess Bein The Hero Saves The Day By Winning The Miss Polly Classic at Delta Downs


Jess Bein Hero, under jockey Santiago Mendez, winning the $50,000 Miss Polly Classic (G3) on Saturday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 24 , 2017—Delta Downs hosted the $50,000 Miss Polly Classic (G3) on Saturday night and it was Jess Bein the Hero who proved best in the 400-yard showdown for 3-year-olds and up.

Under jockey Santiago Mendez, Jess Bein the Hero won his third stakes race in his last four starts for trainer Miguel Rodriguez and owner Juan F. Martinez-Labastida.

After breaking alertly from the sixth post positon in a field of eight, Jess Bein the Hero battle for the early lead before gaining a neck advantage over runner-up Politically Corrupt on the finish line. Brave Heart Won finished another half-length behind the top pair in third. The running time for Jess Bein the Hero over a fast track was 19.386 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 103.

Winning trainer Miguel Rodriguez and jockey Santiago Mendez accept the Miss Polly Classic stakes trophy Saturday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography
Jess Bein the Hero has now won five of seven lifetime starts and has earned a total of $81,553. Saturday night’s paycheck for winning the Miss Polly Classic was $30,000.

Bred in Texas by Curtis Crenwelge, Jess Bein the Hero is a 4-year-old black horse by Valiant Hero, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Braggin.

Coming off a win in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Classic on May 13th, Politically Corrupt earned $10,000 for finishing second. Jose Sanchez conditions the Apollitical Jess 4-year-old for owner Double H Racing Investment LLC. Rodrigo Vallejo rode the Texas-bred gelding from the Leaving Memories mare Adorable Deer. Andrew Gardiner bred the graded winner of nearly $192,000.

Brave Heart Won, an Apollitical Jess 4-year-old who was third in both the All American Derby(G1) and Texas Classic Derby(G1) last year, picked up $5,500 for owners Michael Taylor and Dwayne Saucier. Taylor also trains the Oklahoma-bred with John Hamilton getting the riding call. Luis Miguel Albores Gleason bred the $381,068 earner in Oklahoma from the Fols Gold mare Fols Zookie Cookie.

Sent to the gate at odds of 6-1, Jess Bein the Hero returned $14.60 to win, $4.20 to place and $3.40 to show. Politically Corrupt was worth $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Brave Heart Won paid $3.40 to show.

Cobalt Creek, Tlc Dale, Senator Tamale, Double Down and String Bet completed the field.

Delta Downs will begin it next-to-last week of American Quarter Horse racing on Wednesday night with another 10-race program that begins at 6:15 pm CT. Next week’s action includes the $172,580 Firecracker Derby on Friday night and the $274,325 Firecracker Futurity (G2) on Saturday.

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  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