Gotagogh Impresses For Fastest Time In Firecracker Derby Trials at Delta Downs

Gotagog, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., posted the fastest qualifying time in the Grade 3 Firecracker Derby trials at Delta Downs Friday night.

© Hodges Photography

VINTON, LA–JUNE 14, 2024–In his second start this year, Gotagogh rolled to a one-length win while posting the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 3 Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs Friday evening.

The 10 fastest from three trial races contested will return to the southwest Louisiana racetrack on Friday, July 5th, to vie for the winner's share of a $145,205 purse going 350 yards.

Gotagogh showed quick speed from the gate under jockey Victory Urieta, Jr., who finished the 350-yard course in hand in 17.499 seconds, a 94-speed index to set the top qualifying mark.

Starting off a second-place effort in the Leon Bard Memorial Stakes after a troubled start on May 10, Gotagogh is trained by Juan Diaz, Jr. and is owned by Triple Five.

The son of leading sire Favorite Cartel was fourth in the Sam Houston Futurity(G2) and TQHA Sale Futurity(RG1) last season and a finalist in the grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity.

Bobby D. Cox bred the half-brother to champion The Fiscal Cliff and stakes winner Wagon Tales in Texas from the Shazoom mare Signs Zoomer. Gotagogh has compiled a (9) 5-1-0 record and banked $140,872.

Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity winner and multiple grade 1 finalist Think Again Kev won by half a length in the second trial, achieving the fourth-fastest time of 17.747 seconds, an 89-speed index.

Trainer M. Heath Taylor conditions the $107,721 stakes-winning son of third-crop sire Kvn Corona for owner Keith W. Nellesen. Arturo Alvarez had the riding call on the bay Utah-bred gelding from the First Down Dash mare Budder Think Twice. McColee Land & Livestock, LLC, is the breeder.

CLICK HERE for the complete list of Firecracker Derby(G3) finalists with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

Delta Downs will close out the race week on Saturday night with another nine-race program featuring six trials for this year’s $303,490 Firecracker Futurity. The action kicks off at 6:15 pm.

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

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 USA TODAY 10 Best readers, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space, and over 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 on Delta Downs Drive in Vinton, Louisiana. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7; from Texas, take Exit 4.