News - Racing March  28, 2024

Gemma Breaks Maiden, Posts Top Mark For Alabama Futurity


Gemma (#7) held-off Stol Leigh(#9) to set the top qualifying time for the Alabama Futurity at Delta Downs Friday night.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 5, 2015—Paris Wixon's homebred Gemma held off Stol Leigh Friday to get her first career win and set he top qualifying time for the Alabama Futurity at Delta Downs.

The 10 fastest accredited Alabama-bred two-year-olds, from two trial races conducted on Friday's card, will return to the Vinton, Louisiana racetrack on Friday, June 26th and vie for the winner's share of a $45,000-added purse going 330 yards.

Making just her second career start, Gemma showed early speed under jockey Gilbert Ortiz before holding on to win by a head over Stol Leigh. The Teller Cartel filly completed the 330 yards in :17.224 seconds to set the top mark. Edwin Ladner trains the filly out of the Dash Ta Fame mare Ole Auntie Em. Gemma finished third in her maiden out after hopping at the start. She has earned $5,520.

Gemma is one of two homebreds for Ms. Wixom who qualified to the Alabama Futurity final. Bigtime Fame finished third in the second trial to post the sixth fastest trial time. Kenneth Roberts, Sr. trains the Bigtime Favorite gelding out of Miranda Fame, by Dash Ta Fame.

Donnie and Kenneth Weeks aforementioned Stol Leigh held on to the second fastest time of :17.248 seconds. Kenneth trains the daughter of Stoli out of Cica de La Luna, by Dashin Chico. Bred by Hansel Bray, the sorrel filly was ridden by David Alavarez. Weeks also saddled 8th fastest qualifier Corona With A Splash.

Quick Lady Patriot stepped up from an impressive 1˝ length win for a $10,000 tag on May 8th to get her second straight win following one-length victory in the second Alabama trial. Ridden by jockey Donnell Blake, for trainer Trey Ellis, the black filly was the first of three finalists for owner Karl Smith. He also bred four of the 10 Alabama Futurity qualifiers.

Quick Lady Patriot is a daughter of Quick To Flare Up from the Game Patriot mare Jj Lady Patriot. She has won two of three starts and earned $8,700.

Trainer Doug Weeks saddled multiple finalists getting the 4th, 9th and 10th fastest qualifiers.

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


Courtesy Ses