News - Racing March  28, 2024

Dragon N Panther Pulls An Upset In The $281,007 Laddie Futurity At Delta Downs


Jockey J.R. Ramirez, rides Dragon N Panther to victory in the restricted G2 $281,007 Louisiana Laddie Futurity at Delta Downs Saturday.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—MAY 21, 2016—Ridden by jockey J.R. Ramirez, Dragon N Panther (13-1) rallied early then held off Bankin On Bux, by half-a-length, to win the restricted G2 $281,007 Louisiana Laddie Futurity Saturday night at Delta Downs.

Former jockey Saul Ramirez, Jr., J.R.'s brother, got his first stakes win as a trainer when Dragon N Panther completed the 330 yards in :16.701 seconds over a sloppy rain soaked racetrack, a 92 speed index with a 5 mph tailwind.

"My horse didn't have a problem with the sloppy track," J.R. said. "He warmed up pretty good and stood perfect in the gates. That's what we were hoping for; a good start. "

Ricardo Javier Rodrigue Cantu owns the son of Dragon Wings out of Mountain Woman by Panther Mountain. Bred by R.L. Richard, Dragon N Panther is 2-for-2 and used the $140,504 Laddie winner's purse to boost his career mark to nearly $150,000.

"I want to thank God and the owners and breeders," Saul said after the race. "We had the fastest time in schooling races and he came back and beat the fastest qualifier tonight. This is amazing."

Winning brothers J.R. (jockey) and Saul Ramirez, Jr. (trainer) raise the Laddie Futurity stakes trophy with owner Ricardo Javier Rodrigue Cantu Saturday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography
"Winning for Saul is very special: he's very laid back. He trusts me and I trust him. We help each other out and make a great team," J.R. added.

Still a maiden from two starts, Bankin On Bux's second place effort earned $47,771 for owner David Eatman and trainer Vann Haywood. Damian Martinez rode the Zoomin For Bux gelding out of Shine On Morgan by First To Shine. Bernard and Nola Thornton bred the $8,200 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate.

Leading trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. saddled third place finisher Blue Courage. Maxxiprime Enterprises LLC paid $20,000 at the 2015 LQHBA Yearling Sale for the Jess Louisiana Blue gelding out of Faith And Courage, by Stoli. J.E. Jumonville, Jr. bred Blue Courage. With a 1-0-1 record from two starts, he earned $28,101 for the Laddie Futurity effort.

Sent off at odds of better than 12-1, Dragon N Panther paid $27.20 to win, $11.60 to place and $6 to show. Bankin On Bux was worth $8.20 to place and $5.60 to show. Blue Courage returned $3.80 to show.

Bbang, Royal Quick Patriot, Lovin That Sizzle, Geaux Dashin Bye, Dash To Intrigue and First Prize Bourban completed the field.

Delta Downs will begin its sixth week of live American Quarter Horse racing on Wednesday night with another 10-race program that begins at 6:15 pm Central Time.

For more information about the current 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.

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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.

Courtesy Ses