Pk Pure Rogue, ridden by Everardo Rodriguez, wins the $50,000 Vals Fortune Stakes at Delta Downs on Wednesday evening.

© Hodges Photography

VINTON, LA–JUNE 19, 2024–It was a tight finish at the wire, but Pk Pure Rogue remains undefeated for 2024 with his third victory in a row after winning the $50,000 Vals Fortune Stakes. With jockey Everardo Rodriguez in the irons, the four-year-old gelding drifted in from the outside and crossed the wire first over One Sweet Rogue and Into The Grey.

During the final 100 yards, Pk Pure Rogue forged a narrow lead before holding off a late charge by One Sweet Rogue, who finished a head back of the winner in second. Into the Grey also came on late and finished third, another neck behind the runner-up.

Even though Rodriguez lost his whip on the muddy track, it didn't slow down Pk Pure Rogue, who clocked a 95 speed index in :19.835 seconds. The post-time favorite's 400-yard winning effort paid $5.80 to win on 9/5 odds.

The $30,000 winner's check boosted Pk Pure Rogue's earnings to $156,245. The son of Heza Fast Rogue just came off the Grade 2 Open Me A Corona Stakes win in April at Delta Downs and won an optional claiming in February at Louisiana Downs. He hadn't won a stakes race until this season; he's always been the runner-up.

The winning connections of Pk Pure Rogue accept the $50,000 Vals Fortune Stakes trophy at Delta Downs on Wednesday. © Hodges Photography

The multiple stakes winner has lit the board 16 of 21 starts with six career wins, and in previous year's Pk Pure Rogue placed second in the LQHBA Sale Juvenile Stakes, Mardi Gras Derby, Old South Derby, and third in the Delta Downs LA Bred Derby [G3].

Phatt Kat Ranch bred Pk Pure Rogue out of the Agouti mare Kinky Boots. Barbara Alcantara saddled the bay gelding for owner Jose Rodriguez, who purchased him for $9,200 in the 2021 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

One Sweet Rogue, ridden by Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., takes second a neck over Into The Grey, piloted by Ubaldo Luna. Trainer Robert Meche conditioned the five-year-old runner-up, who has banked $98,878 for owner/breeder Jennifer Walker.

The four-time winning daughter of Heza Fast Rogue placed fourth in last year's Vals Fortune Stakes. One Sweet Rogue is out of Sweet Pea Barbara by My Friend Max.

Third place finisher Into The Grey has a record of 4-9-3 with $124,590 in earnings. Phatt Kat Ranch also bred the four-time stakes-placed winner out of Sass that Chick by Chicks A Blazin. Jeremy Derozin trains the five-year-old son of Sir Runaway Dash for owner Rogelio Marquez Jr.

Sandstone, Dianetoseparatefromu, Mr Crawfish, Wild Blue Debutant and Corona Only round out the order of finish.

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Delta Downs will host another eight-race program on Thursday, with the first post time set for 6:15 pm. The card will include a pair of trials for this year’s $137,415 Delta Downs Derby, which will take place on closing night, Saturday, July 13. 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 Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Named “America’s Best Horse Racing Track” in 2023 by readers of USA TODAY 10Best, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center, and the FanDuel Sportsbook.