Catch Me One Tee Steps Up, Sets Fastest Time Old South Derby Trials at Delta Downs

Catch Me One Tee, under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr., setting the fstest time for the Old South Derby Friday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—APRIL 28, 2022—Making his 3-year-old debut, Catch Me One Tee stepped up from the claiming levels last season to post the fastest qualifying time for the Old South Derby on opening night for the 2022 Delta Downs live Quarter Horse meet.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the three trials contested over 350 yards tonight, will return on Friday, May 20th to vie for the winner's share of a $89,427 purse.

Under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr. Catch Me On Tee cleared the field quickly in the opening trial, extending his lead to 1-1/2 lengths at the wire. The 3-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Tee Cos stopped the clock in :17.705 seconds, an 86 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind, to establish the top mark.

Trainer Pedro Lopez saddled the bay gelding to his second career win in eight starts for owner Richard Lopez. In his final start last season at 2, Cath Me One Tee finished fourth at Evangeline Downs for a $10,000 tag December 28th. 

Brandon Trahan bred the gelding in Louisiana from the Mr Jess Perry mare Senorita Perry.  He picked up $3,000 for the tonight's trial victory to bring his earnings total to $12,475. 

Jjs Corona Star, under jockey Guadalupe Lucio, Jr. got his third career win in seven starts in the second trial to record the fourth fastest time of :17.975 seconds.

Trainer Luis Martinez sent out the son of multiple stakes Corona Leaving You for owner-breeder J and J Stables, LLC. Bred from the Jess An Idea mare Jess A Little Star, Jj Coronas Star has earned $27,840 in nine starts.

Shesa Knockoutcartel defeated Ajkiss This Corona by a head in the final trial to get the sixth fastest time of :17.990 seconds. Trainer Martin Trejo saddled the Louisiana homebred to her fourth career win for owner-breeder BM AQ Racing, LLC.

Everardo Rodriguez had the riding call aboard last year's Louisiana Juvenile winner. A daughter of multiple stakes sire Five Bar Cartel, from the Royal Quick Dash mare Lady Knockout, Shesa Knockoutcartel has earned $66,500 in eight starts.

Runner-up in the final trial Ajkiss This Corona held on to the seventh fastest time.  The daughter of third-crop sire Louisiana Jambalaya races for owner-breeder Al Jones. Jockey David Alvarez had the riding call for trainer Patrick Clemons. The lightly races filly is out of Aj Kiss My Corona by The Louisiana Cartel.

For a complete list of Old South Derby qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Delta Downs will conclude its opening weekend of racing on Saturday night with another nine-race program starting at 6:15 pm. The action will include the $40,000 Open Me a Corona Stakes and trials for this year’s $148,040 Old South Futurity.

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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.

For more information about the season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.