News - Racing March  29, 2024

Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr Scores Upset Win In The Open Me A Corona Stakes At Delta Down


Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr (#10) gets up over Jrs Shiney Tee (#9) and Put Me N Coach (#5) in the $40,000 Open Me A Corona Stakes Saturday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—APRIL 30, 2022—Delta Downs wrapped up the opening weekend of its 2022 American Quarter Horse season on Saturday night with a nine-race program that included the $40,000 Open Me A Corona Stakes and seven trials for this year’s $148,040 Old South Futurity (see related story).

The Open Me a Corona was won in an upset by 22-1 longshot Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr under jockey Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. The winner edged out another high-priced horse in Jrs Shiney Tee, who also left the gate at odds of 22-1.

After a quick start from the outside two post positions, Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr and Jrs Shiney Tee drew clear from the rest of the field as the former hit the finish line just a head in front of the runner-up, while Put Me N Coach would up third, another length behind the top pair.

Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr covered the 350 yards of the Open Me A Corona in a time of :17.583 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 90. Each race on the Saturday program was contested over a fast track.

Danielle Decker, Delta Downs assistant racing secretary, presents the winning connections of Jjs Heza Fast Dash Jr accept the Open Me A Corona stakes trophy on Saturday night at Delta Downs © Coady Photography

Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr has now won five of 17 career starts. He earned $24,000 for his tally on Saturday and now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $75,538.

Bred in Louisiana by his owned J & J Stables, Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr is a 4-year-old sorrel gelding by leading sire Heza Fast Dash, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Forever Real.

Runner-up Jrs Shiney Tee earned $8,000 for his second-place effort. Jockey Randy Edison had the riding call aboard the son of Tee Cos for trainer David Bustamonte and owner Kathy Goodale. Julien Stevens , III bred the bay gelding from the First To Shine mare Arrangel To Shine. He has earned $112,1273 in 15 career starts to 4.

Grade 1-placed Put Me In Coach finished one-length back to pick up $4,400 for third. Trainer Ruben Chavez saddled the Carters Cartel 3-yaer-old for owner Lorena Morales. Bred by Shortstop Racing, from the First Prize Perry mare Allizoom, Put Me In Coast was third in the Mardi Gras Derby(RG2) last year. He has earned $73,732.

Lett It Happen, Black Blood, Politically Blue, Swamp Eagle, Quicksilver B, Railroad Jimmy and King Intriguing Blue complted the field.

Fans who backed Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr were rewarded with payoffs of $46.60 to win, $16.60 to place and $10 to show. Jrs Shiney Tee was worth $15.80 to place and $12.20 to show. Put Me N Coach returned $4.20 to show.

Delta Downs will conduct live racing next week, Wednesday through Saturday. Qualifying trials for this year’s Lassie Futurity will be conducted on Wednesday and Thursday. The Laddie Futurity trials will take place on Friday and Saturday. First post time each evening will be at 6:15 pm.

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

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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