Jockey Mario Delgado drives Chief Iron Eagle to victory in the 38,838 Cricket Bar Futurity for 2-year-old Appaloosas on Monday at Will Rogers Downs.

© Coady Photography

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 16, 2024–Chief Iron Eagle was a gate-to-wire winner of the $38,838 Cricket Bar Futurity for 2-year-old Appaloosas on Monday at Will Rogers Downs.

Under jockey Mario Delgado, Chief Iron Eagle covered the 400 yards in 20.191 seconds, equaling an 87-speed index with a 9 mph tailwind. It was the second win in seven starts for the son of Gray Chief. The winning margin was 1-1/4 lengths.

Luis Villafranco conditions the Oklahoma homebred for owner-breeder Jose Vicente Robles Silva.  The $15,620 Cricket Bars' winner's purse boosted Check Iron Eagle's earnings to $68,494.

Runner-up Linda Cartel earned $8,079 under jockey Roman Cruz for finishing second. Jesus Ruben Ruiz trains the daughter of Quarter Horse sire Coronado Cartel for owner-breeder Gary Vaughn.  Bred in Oklahoma from the Real Visions mare Lady Joe, Linda Cartel has earned $15,837 in six starts.

The winning connections of Chief Iron Eagle accept the Cricket Bar Futurity stakes trophy at Will Rogers Downs.
 © Coady Photography

In just his second career start, Valiant Anthem finished a neck back to earn $6,307 for third. Also from the Ruiz stable, the son of multiple stakes sire Jess Being Valiant races for owner Sonya Berry and John McGraw. Berry bred Valiant Anthem in Oklahoma from the Furrtreeous mare Waka Waka.

Docs Panda, Wickedsare, Cowgirls Chaos, and Taylor Best Effort completed the field.