BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

VINTON, LA–JUNE 20, 2022–Stakes winners Shesa Knockoutcartel and Blessher Sweet Heart are among the 25 Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds entered in Thursday's 400-yard Delta Downs Derby (RG3) trials at Delta Downs.

Shesa Knockoutcartel has won her last two starts, including the 350-yard, $89,000 Old South Derby at Delta Downs on May 20. Martin Trejo trains the homebred Five Bar Cartel filly for owner BM AQ Racing LLC.

Shesa Knockoutcartel drew post 6 and will be ridden by David Alvarez in the first of three trials.

Blessher Sweet Heart has also won her last two outs, including the 400-yard, $40,000 Vinton Stakes (R) for state-bred 3-year-olds at Delta Downs on May 28. A bay daughter of Jet Black Patriot, the filly races for Fausto G. Mendoza from the barn of trainer Joel Huitron.

Blessher Sweet Heart drew post 3 and will be ridden by Guadalupe Lucio Jr. in the second heat.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Thursday's trials will meet in the July 16, $100,000-added Delta Downs Derby final.

All Delta Downs races can be seen on Q-Racing Video.com.