Racing


Heza Louisiana Dash Dominates RG2 Vals Fortune Stakes at Delta Downs
Heza Louisiana Dash, under jockey Gilbert Ortiz, easily wins the $60,000 Vals Fortune Stakes (RG2) Saturday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography
Heza Louisiana Dash Dominates RG2 Vals Fortune Stakes at Delta Downs

VINTON, LA—JUNE 3, 2017—Following his big effort to win the Open Me a Corona Stakes at Delta Downs on April 22, Heza Louisiana Dash notched his second stakes win of the meet on Saturday night as he dominated four rivals in the $60,000 Vals Fortune Stakes (RG2) for Louisiana-breds competing at 400 yards.

Heza Louisiana Dash broke sharply from his inside post position under regular rider Gilbert Ortiz before opening up a two-length lead in mid-stretch. During the final 100 yards the 5-year-old was on cruise control and reported home ¾ of a length in front of Jes A Fast Dasher, who finished second.

Jess A Saint wound up another head behind in third. The winner covered the distance over a muddy track in 19.426 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 102.

The winning connections of Heza Louisiana Dash accept the Vals Fortune Stakes trophy Saturday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography
The win by Heza Louisiana Dash marked the 11th of his 22-race career. The winner’s paycheck of $36,000 raised his overall bankroll to $417,641.

Heza Louisiana Dash is a brown gelding by Heza Fast Dash, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Eyejesslovelouisiana. He was bred in Louisiana by Jumonville Farms and Burnett Ranch.

Also, a graded stakes winning son of Heza Fast Dash, Jes A Fast Dasher races for owner/breeder Tony Doughtie. Noe Castaneda had the riding call for trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. Out of the Game Patriot mare Jes A Game, Jes A Fast Dasher picked up $12,000 to boost his earnings record to $447,259.

LQHBA Breeders' Futurity(RG1) winner Jess A Saint races for owner/trainer Miguel Rodriguez. Santiago Mendez rode the graded stakes winning son of Jess Louisiana Blue out of Laughing Saint(TB) by Vindication (TB). Bred by J.E. and Bunny Jumonville, Jess A Saint increased his bankroll to $526,302 after depositing $6,600 for his third-place finish.

Cute Mic Jagger and Jethro Almitey completed the field. Running Game Patriot was scratched.

Sent to the gate as the overwhelming favorite of the wagering public at odds of 3-5, Heza Louisiana Dash paid $3.20 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.20 to show. Jes A Fast Dasher returned $4.40 to place and $3.60 to show. Jess A Saint was worth $3.40 to show.

Delta Downs will begin its eighth week of live American Quarter Horse racing on Wednesday night starting at 6:15 pm CT. Next week’s action includes trials for this year’s Firecracker Derby on Friday night and the Firecracker Futurity (G2) on Saturday.

For more information about the upcoming season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  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.