Platinum FDD Explodes Late To Capture $271,950 Firecracker Futurity At Delta Downs

VINTON, LA—JULY 1, 2016—Jesus Huitron’s Platinum FDD put in a huge late run to rally for victory in Saturday night’s Grade 2 $271,950 Firecracker Futurity at Delta Downs. The Adrian Huitron trainee was guided to victory by jockey Damian Martinez.

Platinum FDD was beaten to the punch out of the starting gate as he began from the outermost post position in a field of 10 and found himself in fourth position midway through the 400-yard test.

As the field approached the final 100 yards Martinez got into the son of First Down Dash and he responded with a burst of speed that got him past Carmel Diamond, who finished ¾ of a length behind in second, and Jen and Vodka, who wound up just a nose back of the runner-up in third.

Platinum FDD covered the distance of the Firecracker Futurity in :17.584 seconds over a track listed as good. That clocking equaled a speed index of 89 and it beat his trial time of :17.710.

The win by Platinum FDD kept his local record perfect at three wins in as many starts. Overall he has won four of five starts during his brief career. The first place prize for the Firecracker win was $135,975, which raised the young star’s bankroll up to $149,525.

The royally bred gelding was a $50,000 repurchase by owner Jesus Huitron at the 2015 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City. Bred by Huitron and Vessels Stallion Farm, LLC, the Texas-bred is out of multiple graded stakes winner Eyesa Jumpn, by Eyesa Special.

Carmel Diamond finished second for owner Jaime Flores and trainer Homar Garza. Raul Ramirez, Jr. rode the Texas-bred son of Dictorial out of Sixes Diamond, by Streakin Sixes. Also a finalist in the Harrah's Entertainment Futurity(G3) earlier this year, Carmel Diamond picked up $46,232 to boost his earning mark to $66,474. Jorge Garza is the breeder.

Michael Taylor saddled third place finisher Jen And Vodka for owner Jennifer Beck. D & S Racing LLC bred the $20,000 Ruidoso Select Sale graduate in Louisana. J.R. Ramirez rode the filly by second crop sire One Sweet Jess from the stakes winning Dash Ta Fame mare Full Moon Dasher. She earned $27,195.

Sent to the gate at odds of 3-2, Platinum Fdd returned $5 to win, $4 to place and $3.40 to show. Carmel Diamond paid $11 to place and $7 to show. Jen and Vodka was worth $11.80 to show.

Bluesville, Jess Cruzin The Mall, Leaveafamousmemory, Sizzlin Stewart, Marfilous, Roostersito and Dash For A Lil Cash completed the field.

Delta Downs will embark on its final week of live racing Wednesday night. The track will host a 10-race program that is scheduled to get underway at 6:15 pm.

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.

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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.