News - Racing March  29, 2024

Wild Tycoon Steps Up In Old South Derby Trials


Wild Tycoon, under jockey David Alvarez, defeating Tm Dees Prize as the pair post the top two qualifying times for the Old South Derby at Delta Downs Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—MAY 2, 2015—Getting his fourth consecutive win, Wild Tycoon recovered from an early bobble to defeat Tm Dees Prize by three-quarters while posting the top qualifying time for the Old South Derby Saturday evening at Delta Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the three trial races contested on Saturday's race card, will return to the Southwest Louisana racetrack on Saturday, May 23 to vie for the winner's share of a $53,595 purse going 350 yards.

Coming off a 1¼ length winning effort at Louisiana Downs on March 17, Wild Tycoon covered the 350 yards in :17.490 seconds to earn a 91 speed index and set the top derby qualifying mark. David Alvarez had the riding assignment aboard the Tempting Dash gelding for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and trainer Martin Trejo.

Richard and Janelle Simon bred Wild Tycoon in Louisiana from the First Down Jewel mare First Down Hemp. A half-brother to leading Louisiana sire Jet Black Patriot, Wild Tycoon was a $40,000 repurchase in the 2013 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale. A winner of only one race in seven starts last year, the sorrel gelding is a perfect 4-for-4 this season and has earned $26,500.

The aforementioned Tm Dees Prize held on to the second fastest qualifying mark of :17.577 seconds for owner/breeder Two The Max Investments, LLC. Vann Haywood conditions the stakes winning son of Fast Prize Dash out of Call Her Dee, by Deefirst. Ridden by Juan Marquez, Tm Dees Prize won the $60,000 Lee Berwick Memorial Invitational last summer at Delta Downs. His record stands at (8) 4-2-0 with $73,450 earned.

Martin Trejo saddled The Golden Bowl to a half-length win in the first trial to get the third fastest time of :17.694 seconds. David Alvarez rode the Mr Eye Opener colt for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. Bred in Texas by Jorge Meraz, The Golden Bowl is out of First Dashin Bye, by Dashin Bye. A winner of three of five career starts, the lightly raced colt entered the trials off a win in the Sam Houston Derby trials on April 3.

Robert Latham's Wheres Mom got her first win of the season when she scored a neck victory over Jess A Rogue in the final trial to post the fourth qualifying time of :17.696 seconds. Kevin Broussard saddled the Heza Fast Dash filly from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Ready To Wear. Bred in Louisana by Ryan and Danielle Robicheaux, Wheres Mom has earned $32,299.

For the complete list of Old South Derby finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Delta Downs will begin its third week of live racing on Wednesday night with a 10-race program that begins at 6:15 pm.

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