Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News - Preview April 29, 2024

Pappacito Risks Win Streak in Friday's Grade 3 Firecracker Derby

Old South Derby winner Pappacito heads Friday's 400-yard, $90,755 Firecracker Derby (G3) at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

VINTON, LA–JULY 6, 2023–Robin L. Redding's Pappacito will put his three-race win streak on the line in Friday's 400-yard, $90,755 Firecracker Derby (G3) at Delta Downs.

The fastest qualifier from two trials contested on June 16, Pappacito is a gray son of Ivory James trained by Heath Taylor.

The gelding has won all three of his starts and has earned $60,308 at Delta Downs this year, and his season record includes a 1 1/4-length victory in the 350-yard, $109,000 Old South Derby on May 19.

Pappacito drew post 5 and will be ridden by Gilbert Ortiz.

Jose I. Rocha's Masseto made his season debut with a fourth-place finish in his Firecracker Derby trial. However, the One Sweet Jess gelding ended his 2-year-old campaign with a third-place run in the state's richest Quarter Horse race, the December 17, $1-million Louisiana QHBA Million Futurity (RG1) at Evangeline Downs.

Masseto drew the rail post and will be ridden by Mario A. Trujillo for trainer Mario Trujillo Jr.

All Delta Downs races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.