News - Racing March  28, 2024

Runaway Second Down Rallies For Big Win In The Lee Berwick Futurity At Delta Downs


Runaway Second Down, under jockey Antonio Alberto, winning the $700,293 Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JULY 6, 2019—Delta Downs capped off its 2019 American Quarter Horse season on Saturday night with another edition of Louisiana Showcase Night, which featured eight stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses and the richest race of the year, the $700,293 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).

This year’s Lee Berwick was won by Eulalio Argote and Victor Alvarado’s Runaway Second Down, who was ridden to victory by Antonio Alberto. The Robi A. Meche trainee defeated Ed O by a head while completing 350 yards over a fast track in 17.349 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 97. Jess a Fast Rogue finished third, another length behind the top pair.

"We qualified for the Lee Berwick three years in a row and it means so much to us to finally win, Agote said. "We owned his full brother Second Down Leaving; paid $25,000 for him. His success was the reason we had to pay $80,000 for Runaway Second Down. We knew he had what it takes to win a major stakes."

Runaway Second Down came into the Lee Berwick as the second fastest qualifier after winning his trial on June 15. That race gave Alberto tremendous confidence going into the final.

"The night we qualified I said we were going to shake the ground in the final," Antonio said following the race. "He was doing so well at the farm, I really felt every other horse would have to give 150% to beat him.”

Runaway Second Down has now won two of four career starts. Saturday’s score put $350,146 into his bankroll, which now stands at $358,666.

"It’s been a great experience!," Meche said about her first career stakes win. "I just got my license earlier this year in Shreveport and won the richest race of the Delta meet!"

The winning connections of Runaway Second Down accept the Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) stakes trophy Saturday night Delta Downs. © Coady Photography
Bred in Louisiana by Grant Farms LLC, Runaway Second Down is a 2-year-old gray gelding by Sir Runaway Dash, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Second Down Perry. He was purchased for $80,000 at the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Yearling Sale in 2018.

Runner-up Ed O races for owner Edwardo Lopez and trainer Jose Lopez. The son of multiple stakes sire Mr Piloto is out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Shezadashinatcha. Bred by Anthony Gaspard and E. A. Landry Jr., Ed O earned $119,050 to increase his bankroll to $191,449. Ridden by jockey Noe Villatoro, Ed O was a $4,700 repurchase at the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Paragon Farms LLC's Jess A Rogue earned $70,029 for third. The son of Heza Fast Dash sold for $200,000 at the LQHBA Sale last August. James Padgett II saddled with Cesar Esqueda riding the sorrel colt from the Mr Jess Perry mare Miss Jess Rogue. Triple M Farms LLC is the breeder.

Flash Of Light, Apollitical Bug, Rf Apolliticalcookie, A Quick Jewel, Baby Freighttrain, Sir Runaway Cash and Pilotoshinning completed the field.

Sent to the gate at odds of 8-1, Runaway Second Down paid $18.40 to win, $9.20 to place and $6 to show. Ed O returned $6.60 to place and $4.40 to show. Jess a Fast Rogue was worth $9.20 to show.

Delta Downs will now look forward to its 2019-20 Thoroughbred season which kicks off on Tuesday, October 8. The 84-day stand will run through February 29 with live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night after opening week. First post time each night during the meeting will be at 4:55 pm CST. For more information about the upcoming season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.

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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.


Courtesy Ses