Setting the fastest qualifying time, RF Fast Dash N Blood won his heat in by 3-1/4 lengths to set the fastest time for the restricted Grade 1 $597,622 Lee Berwick Futurity final at Delta Downs Friday night.

© Hodges Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA—JUNE 20, 2025—A strong field of juveniles, headlined by the brilliant RF Fast Dash N Blood, will line up for the restricted Grade 1 $597,622 Lee Berwick Futurity final at Delta Downs, set to run at 350 yards for accredited Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds.

The final is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, following 12 trial races contested tonight, June 20, at Delta Downs.

Setting the fastest qualifying time of 17.463, RF Fast Dash N Blood dominated his heat in Race 3 by a commanding 3-1/4 lengths under jockey Jorge Javier Garcia.

Trained by Miguel A. Castillo for owner Jaime Cardenas, the bay gelding was never challenged, showcasing early speed and finishing power that earned a 99 speed index—the highest of the trials.

The $80,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale purchase is a son of champion sire Apollitical Blood, out of Fast Dash N Deb by Heza Fast Dash. He was bred in Louisiana by Rogers Farm and Tim and Jennie Rogers.

Rf Fast Dash N Blood pushed his record to (5) 3-1-0 and earnings of $171,794 that included a win in the $268,895 Laddie Futurity(RG2) in May and a fifth-place effort in the $399,104 Mardi Gras Futurity(G2) in March.

Luziana Man, under jockey Noe Castaneda, posted the second fastest clocking in the opening trial.
© Hodges Photography

The second-fastest qualifier, Luziana Man, stopped the clock in 17.562 while winning the opening trial by 2-1/4 lengths under Noe Castaneda. Trained by Jose R. Espinosa for owners Rosalio Espinosa and Jerry Deville Jr., Luziana Man was heavily favored and responded with complete authority from gate to wire.

A $13,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale purchase, Luziana Man is a bay gelding by multiple stakes sire Dominyun and out of Jewels Fortune by First Down Jewel, bred by Jerry West. His only loss in four starts came in the $268,895 Laddie Futurity(RG2) to RF Fast Dash N Blood last month. He has banked $61,912.

Valiant Heart Z, under jockey Nestor Duran, posted the third fastest clocking in trial 5. © Hodges Photography

Completing the trio of fastest qualifiers is Valiant Heart Z, who won the fifth trial in 17.758 with Nestor Duran in the irons. The gelding showed immediate speed from the rail post and held off a late charge to win by a half-length for trainer Patrick L. Clemons and owner Luis Armando Castellanos.

Valiant Heart Z, a $25,000 LQHBA grad, is a son of second-crop sire Gold Heart Eagle V out of Ym Valentine by Valiant Hero, bred by Slash Z Quarter Horses. With two wins and two seconds in four starts he has earned $23,185.

Each trial on the Friday carried a purse of $10,000 and the winners took home $6,000 apiece. Apollitical Blood led all sires, qualifying four head for the rich finale.

CLICK HERE for the 2025 list of Lee Berwick Futurity qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

The second 10 fastest qualifiers are preferred invites to the $75,000 Louisiana Juvenile Stakes, which is also scheduled for Saturday, July 12. For a list of those horses, CLICK HERE.

With the Lee Berwick purse nearing $600,000, the July 12 final at Delta Downs promises to be a thrilling showcase of Louisiana-bred juvenile speed, led by the explosive RF Fast Dash N Blood, who now looks to add his name to the storied history of the race as the fastest qualifier. He will earn $298,811 if he can pull the feat off.

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Delta Downs will close out the race week on Saturday with a nine-race program that begins at 6:15pm

For more information about the season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing, and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

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