News - Racing March  29, 2024

Stone Cold Leader Powers On Late To Win The Firecracker Derby At Delta Downs


Stone Cold Leader, under jockey Rolando Pina, romps to a daylight win in the $212,500 Firecracker DerbySaturday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 30, 2018—Indiana invader Stone Cold Leader put in an impressive rally under jockey Rolando Pina to defeat Apollitical Cyclone by one-length in the $212,500 Firecracker Derby, a 400-yard test for 3-year-olds Saturday night at Delta Downs. Grade 1 winner Thecartelmiracle finished a head back to take third.

After winning two futurities at Indiana Grand Racecourse in Shelbyville, Indiana last season, Stone Cold Leader ventured to the Bayou state at the end of the year. He failed to qualify for the Evangeline Downs Futurity but returned this season when Delta opened and finished third in the Old South Derby last month. In the June 8th Firecracker Derby trials he was an impressive 2-˝ length winner to set himself up as the posttime favorite for tonight's (Saturday) Firecracker Derby final.

Conditioned by trainer Joe M. Davis, Stone Cold Leader completed the 400 yard Firecracker task in :19.452 seconds to equaled a 101 speed index. It was the seventh career win in 13 starts for the son of All American Futurity(G1) sire Brookstone Bay. The $106,003 Firecracker Derby winner's purse boosted his career mar to more than $311,000.


A huge contention of supporters turned out for Stone Cold Leader's Firecracker Derby win Saturday at Delta Downs. The winning connections accept the stakes trophy in Delta's winners' circle. © Coady Photography
Patrick Richardson owns the Indiana-bred gelding out of Sheza Classy Leader by Leader Of The Pack. Winner of the Gordon Mobley and the QHRAI SSA Futurity last season, Stone Cold Leader was bred by Mark Michel.

Sent to the gate as the race favorite at odds of 2-1, Stone Cold Leader paid $6.40 to win, $4.20 to place and $3 to show. Apollitical Cyclone was worth $13 to place and $4.80 to show. Thecartelofmiracle returned $4.60 to show.

Apollitical Cyclone put in a solid bid to finish second for owner Texas Drywall Specialties and trainer Eusevio Huitron. Jockey Luis Vivanco rode the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Southern Cartel mare Cartels Belle. Bred in Iowa by Craig Kirby, Apollitical Cyclone earned $36,041 to boost this earnings mark to $53,424.

Texas Classic Futurity(G1) winner Thecartelofmiracle dueled early under jockey Manuel Gutierrez but was out-finished settling for third. Josue Ponce conditions the Tough And Good gelding, out of Its Jess A Miracle by Gold Medal Jess, for owner Mauro Luciano Villarreal. The brown gelding was bred in Texas by Jose Estrada, earning $21,201 tonight and has banked nearly $455,000 in his career. He also won the Sam Houston Stakes in May.

Jess Real Fast, Louisiana Seis, Sunset Run, Kas Tempting, Krash Course, Lions Express and The Carter II completed the field.

Delta Downs will kick off its final week of racing on Wednesday night with a special Independence Day program that features 12 races and the $362,675 Firecracker Futurity (G2). First post time is set for 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.


Courtesy Ses