Sarahs Patriot Wins The Virgil Bond Stakes At Delta Downs Saturday Night

Sarahs Patriot, under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr., winning the $35,000 Virgil Bond Stakes on Saturday night at Delta Downs

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–JUNE 11 2022— Delta Downs hosted the $35,000 Virgil Bond Stakes on Saturday night and the 870-yard test for distance horses was won by Gilbert Matthews’ Sarahs Patriot with Juan Garcia, Jr. in the saddle.

Breaking from post two in a field of eight, Sarahs Patriot quickly went to the lead but was joined by a host of horses to her outside.

As the field turned for home, Sarahs Patriot, who is trained by Phillip Calais, Jr., battled with One Fast Cajun before getting a narrow lead in the upper stretch.

Inside the final 100 yard Sarahs Patriot held One Fast Cajun at bay and reported home 1-½ lengths to the good of her rival while Lolas Lil End wound up third, another three lengths behind to top pair. Sarahs Patriot covered the distance over a fast track in 46.950 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 84.

The win by Sarahs Patriot was the fourth of her 15-race career and her first in stakes company. She earned $21,000 for the effort and now has a career bankroll of $84,223.

The winning connections of Sarahs Patriot accept the Virgil Bond Stakes trophy Saturday at Delta Downs.
© Coady Photography

Sarahs Patriot is a 4-year-old bay filly by Game Patriot, out of the Into Mischief mare Sarahsintomischief. She was bred in Louisiana by Perform Stables, Inc.

Runner-up One Fast Cajun stepped from an optional claiming win at Delta May 13th to finish second. Trainer Danny Hoda conditions the son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash for owners Darrin Ladner and Norman Ladner.

Ubaldo Luna rode the Louisiana-bred out of the thoroughbred mare Cajun Rocket by Lion Tamer.  The $7,000 second-place Virgil Bond payday increased the 4-year-olds earnings to $54,710. Terry Gabriel is the breeder.

Lolas Lil Ed finished three lengths back to earn $3,850 for third. Breda Foster trains the Divide The Cash 7-year-old for owner Alejandro Cibrian. Winston Landry is the breeder and Arturo Alvarez had the riding call aboard the brown horse out of Loretta Loretta by Jazzing Hi. Lolas Lil Ed has earned $43,979.

Sent off as the race favorite and paid $5.40 to win, $4.20 to place and $3.80 to show. One Fast Cajun paid $3 to place and $2.60 to show. Lolas Lil Ed was worth $10.40 to show.

One Mighty Key, Jess Louisiana Boo, Masons Jet Black, Freakin Patriot Dash and Midnight Biscuit completed the field.

Delta Downs will conduct its eighth week of American Quarter Horse racing next Wednesday through Saturday nights. First post time Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be at 6:15 pm. (CDT). The track will host the Firecracker Futurity trials on Friday night and the Firecracker Derby trials on Saturday. The Saturday action will also feature Exotic Animal races. Fans will get to see camels and zebras compete on the racetrack with a special early post time at 4:30 pm.

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

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About Delta Downs
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.