Heavy Favorite, ridden by leading rider of the meet Ubaldo Luna, wins the $137,415 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby [RG2] on Saturday.

© Hodges Photography

VINTON, LA–JULY 13, 2024–Ubaldo Luna returns for the mount in the finals of the $137,415 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby [RG2] aboard fastest qualifier Hoztile Takeover.

Hoztile Takeover gets his fourth win from five starts this season in the 400-yard stakes race, which paid $3.00 on 1/2 odds. The heavy favorite led the field from wire-to-wire and clocked a 99 speed index in :19.6674 seconds, defeating Heza Rip and rider Rene Hernandez by 1 1/4-lengths.

Heza Rip's finish paid $15.20 to place second on 30/1 odds over Trainarunnin, who was piloted to third by Guadalupe Lucio Jr.

Hoztile Takeover was the fastest qualifier to the Mardi Gras Derby at Louisiana Downs, returning to the finals for a second-place finish. Then he won an Allowance in May at Delta Downs, followed by his fastest qualifying win in the trials to tonight's derby finals, which added $68,708 to his bankroll for a total of $333,494.

The winning connections of Hoztile Takeover accept the $137,415 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby [RG2] trophy on Saturday. © Hodges Photography

His owner, Luis Castellanos, said, "He has been doing very good this year for me with four wins and one second. I hope he keeps the same rhythm; he's very sound. Ubaldo is one of the best riders, and he's doing a wonderful job. Juan (Diaz) does a great job as well."

Juan Diaz Jr trains Hoztile Takeover for Luis Castellanos and his partner Amanda St Amant. Breeders Triple Lynn Farms LLC and Roland Frederick repurchased the son of One Sweet Jess for $11,500 in the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

He is out of the Identity Theft mare Ms Pilot Id, who is a half-sister to All American Futurity [G1] winner Mr Pilot and multiple graded stakes winner Paint My Pilot.

Luis Castellanos and Ubaldo Luna celebrate after Hoztile Takeover wins the $137,415 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby [RG2] on Saturday. © Hodges Photography

"We are blessed to have this horse. There's a lot of people behind him that make it happen," commented Castellanos.

When asked where he plans to go next, Castellanos said, "He's paid into the Breeders' Derby, and we will see how he comes out. We are possibly thinking about the Dash For Cash at Lone Star."

Brenda Foster saddled runner-up Heza Rip for owner Jose Guzman. The son of Rip Tide was bred by Thomas Glenn Fontenot out of Rl Makenzie by Heza Fast Dash. The multiple winner, who was a finalist in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity [G1] last year and the Mardi Gras Derby this year, has earned $98,585.

Third-place finisher Trainarunnin, who only raced once in 2023, just broke his maiden in February and has a record of 1-1-2 from six starts with $26,427 in earnings. Dustin Rhodes conditions the son of Freighttrain B for owner Roger Moore. Earl Landry Jr and Randy Rodrigue bred the bay gelding out of Rt Runnin To Achieve by Achievement.

The Knockout Power, The Last Goodbye, Kp Paintmeassymphony, One Cool Corona, Hey Lemmecallyouback, Eyes Freighttrain B and Explosive Legend complete the field. 

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" by readers of USA TODAY 10 Best, 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.Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7; from Texas, take Exit 4.