Eysa Jess Jumpn Hangs On For The Win In The $700,000 Lee Berwick Futurity at Delta Downs
© Coady Photography
The richest race of the year took place in the nightcap, it was the $700,000 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) for 2-year-olds who qualified during trails conducted on June 16. The race is named after the man who built Delta Downs back in 1973 and ran the track until 1999.
This year’s Lee Berwick Futurity was won by the fastest qualifier Eysa Jess Jumpn, who defeated Mr Coahuila by just a head in the 350-yard test for Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds. Five Bar Perry finished in third, another ¾ of a length behind the top pair. Eysa Jess Jumpn, who is owned by Jose Estrada Quarter Horses, covered the distance over a fast track in 17.408 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 97.
"My trainer told me I needed to go to the sale, buy a yearling so we could win big races!", Estrada said following the race.
“David has helped us with the babies, so we felt he would be the best choice,” said Huitron.
The victory by Eysa Jumpn was her fourth in a row following a seventh-place finish in her debut at Louisiana Downs on February 24. She earned $350,000 for her Lee Berwick score and now boasts a career bankroll of $372,800.
Bred in Louisiana by Spring Hill Farm LLC and Sheree Dunn, Eysa Jess Jumpn is a 2-year-old brown filly by Heza Fast Dash, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Jumpn. She was purchased by her connections at the 2017 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Yearling Sale for just $11,000.
"We likes her dam, so that was our main reason for asking Jose to buy herm" Huitron said. "We knew very early that we had a fast Filly.
Runner-up Mr Coahuila was sold for $13,500 in the 2017 LQHAB Yearling Sale under the name RS Hesawild Game. Still a maiden from four starts, the son of leading Louisiana sire Game Patriot races for owner Emmanuel Villarreal and trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III.
After running fourth in the his LQHBA Laddie Futurity trial in April Mr Coahuila finished second for a $20,000-tag at Delta Downs on May 16. His next race was a third-place effort behind The Might Moose and Roster Man in the Lee Berwick trials to the eighth qualifying spot.
Roy J. Simon bred Mr Coahuila from the Corona Cartel mare Shes A Wild Babe. He picked up $119,000 in the Lee Berwick final to push his earning total to nearly $125,000.
Ridden by jockey Damian Martinez, Five Bar Perry earned $70,000 for his third-place effort. A $12,000 repurchase at the LQHBA Yearling Sale, the son of leading first-crop sire Five Bar Cartel races for owner Dennis Mills Partners LLC. Bobby Martinez conditions the two-time winner out of the Rakin In The Cash mare Miss Classy Perry. He won both his Laddie Futurity and Lee Berwick Futurity trials and has banked $87,700 in four starts. Ryan Phillips is the breeder.
Sent to the gate as the 9-5 wagering favorite of the fans, Eysa Jess Jumpn paid $5.80 to win, $3.60 to place and $3 to show. Mr Coahuila paid $19.80 to place and $12.20 to show. Five Bar Perry was worth $5.20 to show.
Zoomin Patriot, Mr Range Rover, The Mighty Moose, Apolitical Black, Sir Eye Opener, Roster Man and Smoken Cartel completed the field.
Louisiana Juvenile Stakes
The horses who just missed qualifying for the Lee Berwick Futurity were featured in the $50,000 Louisiana Juvenile and it was Jess Runawaytogether getting the victory with jockey Luis Vivanco riding for trainer Miguel Rodriguez. The impressive 2-year-old is owned by Jagger Horse Racing.
Laddie Futurity(RG2) winner Saheshakesahkeit finished a head back in second for owners Show Me Da Money LLC and trainer Michael Taylor. Antonio Alberto rode the stakes winning son of first-crop sire Five Bar Cartel out of the Tres Seis mare Rebas In The House. Bred by Copper Springs Ranch LLC, the sorrel gelding has earned more than $191,500 in four starts. He is a $21,000 LQHBA Sale graduate.
Sheza Pretty N Black, Igottarampage, Bjs Joyful Fantasy, Heza Battmann, Tetris B and Bullyonfire completed the field.
Featuring Fast Jess won the $268,655 Delta Downs Derby (CLICK HERE for related story).
For other action on Louisiana Showcase Night (CLICK HERE for related stories).
The all-sources handle on Delta Downs program Saturday night set an all-time Quarter Horse record of $882,198. The old mark of $868,697 was set on July 15, 2007.
Delta Downs will now prepare for the 2018-19 Thoroughbred season, which runs from October 17 through March 9. First post time each Wednesday through Saturday night during the season will be at 5:25 pm Central Time. During the downtime, the track will feature full-card simulcasting in its OTB seven days a week.
For more information about the upcoming season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.
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.