Expedyte Stays Undefeated While Winning The Firecracker Futurity At Delta Downs

VINTON, LA—JULY 3, 2019—Delta Downs hosted a special Independence Day program on Thursday night which featured the richest open-bred race of the year, the $308,335 Firecracker Futurity (G2).

The race was won by Raedele Phipps’ Expedyte, who stayed undefeated with his fourth win in as many career starts. It was also his second stakes tally for the Josue Ponce trainee as he also took the Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes on May 3.

After breaking alertly under jockey Jesse Levario from post position five in a field of 10, Expedyte battled for the lead with Recognize throughout the 350-yard test for 2-year-olds.

At the finish line Expedyte proved a nose better than his game rival as race favorite A Painted Dynasty made a furious rally but had to settle for third, another neck behind the top pair. A Painted Dynasty is also trained by Ponce.

Expedyte covered the distance in 17.464 seconds while running on a fast track. The clocking equaled a speed index of 94.

Bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, Expedyte is a 2-year-old brown colt by multiple stakes sire Freighttrain B, out of the Shazoom mare Shazumba. His second dam is the Ruidoso Futurity(G1) winner and grade 1 producer All About Ease by First Down DashPhipps purchased the brown colt for $14,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City. . Expedyte has banked $173,358 this season.

Recognize, a Kentucky-bred daughter of multiple stakes sire Coronas Leaving You earned $52,417 for second. The $7,500 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate races for owner Jose Rodriguez and is trained by Wendy Garcia. Modesto Pina was the irons. Gentry Farms bred Recognize from the Cuvee (TB) mare Fovee.

Fastest qualifier A Painted Dynasty, another Heritage Place Yearling graduate at $15,000, is a son of world champion sire FDD Dynasty. He races for owner David Gutierrez. The Mixer Ranch bred A Painted Dynasty in Oklahoma from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Third Painted Sign. Third in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity last May, he has earned $87,640 in five starts this season.

Sent to the gate at odds of 3-1, Expedyte paid $8 to win, $4.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Recognize was worth $22.60 to place and $6.40 to show. A Painted Dynasty returned $2.20 to show.

Doc Hockaday, Lovethewayyourun, Jess Kool It, Hes El Martillo, Big Daddy Jewel, Apolitical Xpression and A Game For Jess completed the field.

Delta Downs will continue its closing week festivities on Friday with another 12-race program that features the $50,000 Miss Polly Classic Stakes (G3). The season will come to a close on Saturday night with another edition of Louisiana Showcase Night, highlighted by the $700,293 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).

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For more information about the new season visit the track's website at deltadownsracing.com.

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.