Explosive Legend, with Donell Blake (yellow cap) aboard, drives to lead as he turns for home in the $50,000 Live Oak Stakes Saturday at Delta Downs.

© Hodges Photography

VINTON, LA–JULY 12, 2025–Explosive Legend, a four-year-old sorrel gelding by Mr Piloto out of Legendary Seis by Tres Seis, sprinted to an impressive win in the $50,000 Live Oak Stakes at Delta Downs on Saturday, July 12.

Covering the 870 yards on a fast track in 46.090 seconds, the David Bustamante trainee earned a 94 speed index while battling a 7 mph crosswind.

Bred in Louisiana by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC, Explosive Legend was purchased for $40,000 at the 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale. He is a half-brother to AQHA Racing Champion Distance Horse The Grand Legend.

The winning connections Explosive Legend accept the Live Oak Stakes trophy at Delta Downs. © Hodges Photography

Explosive Legend races in the colors of owner David Bustamante and was expertly piloted by jockey Donell Blake to a clear 4¼-length win, earning $30,000 for the effort. Winner of the Louisiana Downs Lip Chip LLC Stakes in March and third in the Governor's Cup Marathon Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston in his last start, he has earned $124,658.

Recent Virgil Bond Stakes winner Power Of The Smile, a four-year-old gray by multiple stakes sire Power Jam (TB) out of Beyond The Smiles by Mr Jess Perry, finished second after a determined outside rally.

Bred and owned by Jumonville Farms and trained by Kenneth Weeks, Power Of The Smile was ridden by Lucas Constantin and earned $10,000. He was an $18,000 RNA at the 2022 LQHBAY Sale. The gelding has banked $97,645 in 16 career starts.

Blue Castle, a three-year-old sorrel gelding by Jess Louisiana Blue out of Queen Ofthe Catsle (TB) by Tale of the Cat (TB), closed late to grab third by a head. Bred by J.E. & Bunny Jumonville and owned by Wesley Goings and Trey Ellis, the Trey Ellis trainee was ridden by Juan Garcia Jr. and added $5,500 to his bankroll. A $21,000 purchase at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, Blue Castle was second in the Virgil Bond Stakes in his last start. He has earned $33,730.

Pari-mutuel payoffs: Explosive Legend returned $5.60 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.80 to show. Power of the Smile paid $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show, while Blue Castle paid $4.00 to show.

Freakin Patriot Dash finished fourth, followed by Blew Duck (5th), One Fast Cajun (6th), Sarahsfreighttrain (7th), and Curlin Coal (8th).

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