Fastest qualifier Mega Hero drew post 9 for Friday’s 400-yard, $172,580 Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA-—JUNE 26, 2017—Mega Hero, a gelded son of Jet Black Patriot and the fastest qualifier, drew post 9 for Friday’s 400-yard, $172,580 Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs.

Trained by Jose Sanchez, Mega Hero is coming off of a three-quarter length win in the first of three trials on June 9. The gelding brings in a four-race winning streak that includes a three-quarter length score in the 350-yard, $63,000 Old South Derby at Delta Downs on May 12.

Manuel Gutierrez will ride Mega Hero, whose nine opponents include Florentino Leon’s Graceful Eagle. A bay daughter of One Famous Eagle trained by Eusevio Huitron, Graceful Eagle is coming off of a 2-year-old campaign during which she scored a half-length victory in the 400-yard, $50,000 Texas Classic Juvenile Invitational Stakes at Lone Star Park on November 12.

Graceful Eagle drew post 2 and will be ridden by Damian Martinez.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments--

1. Moral Compass (John Hamilton)
2. Graceful Eagle (Damian Martinez)
3. Carmel Diamond (Gilbert Ortiz)
4. Td Famous Jes (Floriberto Maldonado)
5. Ardor (Jorge Linares)
6. Katharsis (Francisco Calderon)
7. Tres Seis Sign (Eddie Sanchez)
8. Jess A Tr (Alfonso Lujan)
9. Mega Hero (Manuel Gutierrez)
10. One Sweet Picky (Luciano Duenez).