One Fast Cajun Saves His Best For Last In The $33,900 Virgil Bond At Delta Downs

One Fast Cajun, under jockey Ubaldo Luna, won the $35,000 Virgil Bond Stakes at Delta Downs Saturday.

© Hodges Photography

VINTON, LA–JUNE 8, 2024–Delta Downs hosted the $33,900 Virgil Bond Stakes at 870 yards on Saturday night and race fans were treated to a thrilling finish, as heavy favorite One Fast Cajun under jockey Ubaldo Luna came from last to first and grab the victory for owners Darrin and Norman Ladner and trainer Shane Ladner.

One Fast Cajun took on five rivals in the Vigil Bond and each one of them outbroke the favorite before battling for the lead into the turn. As the quintet reached to the top of the stretch a seamed opened two paths off the rail and Luna guided his mount to the open air for clear sailing. Inside the final 100 yards the bay runner began to pull way and defeated Masons Jet Black by one length on the finish line. Lz King of the Kings would up third, another ¾ of a length behind the runner-up.

One Fast Cajun completed the Vigil Bond in a time of 46.620 seconds while running on a fast track. That clocking earned him a speed index of 88.

The win by One Fast Cajun marked his third in a row and 12th of his 24-race career. He earned $21,000 for the effort, which raised his overall bankroll to $66,040. He’s won seven of 14 starts at Delta Downs.

The winning connections of One Fast Cajun accept the Virgil Bond Stakes trophy. © Hodges Photography

Bred in Louisiana by Terry L. Gabriel, One Fast Cajun is a 6-year-old gelding by Heza Fast Dash, out of the Lion Tamer (TB) mare Cajun Rocket (TB).

Sent to the gate at odds of 1-5, One Fast Cajun paid $2.40 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Masons Jet Black was worth $7.40 to place and $4.60 to show. Lz King of the Kings returned $3.20 to show.

Runner-up Masons Jet Black stepped up in class, off back-to-back claiming wins, to earn $7,000 for second. Trainer Dwayne Breaux named jockey Arturo Alvarez to ride the 7-year-old Jet Black Patriot gelding for owner Gidget Dugas. Tres Ellis bred the $198,558 earner from the thoroughbred mare Ruston Kitty by Eugene's Third Son.

Lz King Of The Kings was three-quarters back to earn $2,750 for third. Jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez rode the 7-year-old son of Ethics Aside for owner Yobany Zuniga and trainer Josue Maldonado. Pedro Flores bred the stakes-placed gelding in Texas from the Glimpse Of Greatness mare Pf Rita.

Sent to the gate at odds of 1-5, One Fast Cajun paid $2.40 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Masons Jet Black was worth $7.40 to place and $4.60 to show. Lz King of the Kings returned $3.20 to show.

Rogues Fast Sister, Heza Hunters Rogue and Jess Louisiana Boo completed the field.

Delta Downs will race live once again next Wednesday through Saturday, June 12-15, First post time each night is set for 6:15 pm.

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.