News - Racing March  28, 2024

Tlc Dale Extends Streak to Four Straight After Getting Top Mark in Firecracker Derby Trials


Tlc Dale extends his win streak to four-straight after setting the fastest qualifying time in Friday's Firecracker Derby trials at Delta Downs.

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VINTON, LA—JUNE 10, 2016—Sam Houston Derby(G3) winner Tlc Dale extended his 3-year-old win streak to a perfect 4-for-4 Friday night after setting the fastest qualifying time for the Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the 31 three-year-olds who participated in four trial races tonight at Delta Downs, will return to the Southwest Louisiana racetrack on Friday, July 1st to vie for the winner's share of a $194,810 purse going 400 yards.

Ridden by jockey Manuel Gutierrez, Tlc Dale defeated First Fancy Prize by a half-a-length in the third of four trials while recording the top mark of :19.578 seconds, a 97 speed index. It was the fourth win in seven career starts for the homebred son of leading second crop sire The Louisiana Cartel.

Adrian Huitron conditions the bay colt for owner/breeder Rogelio Garza. Bred from the Okey Dale Dale mare Hallies Dale, Tlf Dale came into the trials off a Grade 3 win in the $191,000 Sam Houston Derby. He has earned $97,117.

Runner-up in last year's Firecracker Futurity(G2), First Fancy Prize held onto the second fastest time of :19.654 seconds for owners Scott Jones, Monica ones and Raymond Loup.

Michael Taylor conditions the Pyc Paint Your Wagon filly out of multiple stakes-producer First Prize Fancy, by Mr Jess Perry. Bred in Oklahoma by Weetona Stanley and W.E. Smith, First Fancy Prize has won three of seven starts and earned $80,307.

Jockey John Hamilton rode Shes A Hot Valentine to a three-quarter-length win and the third fastest time for owner Jaime Flores in the final trial. The Walk Thru Fire daughter posted a :19.713 clocking for trainer Homar Garza.

Ron Hanna bred Shez A Hot Valentine in California from the Chicks A Blazin mare Double Down Baby. She won the Gillespie County Fair Futurity last season and has earned $78,747.

Sam Houston Futurity winner Ivan James finished second in the final trial but held onto the fourth fastest time of :19.821 seconds. Elpidio Luna, Jr. conditions the son of multiple stakes sire Ivory James for owner/breeder Jorge Meraz.

Jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. had the riding call aboard the Texas-bred from the Dashin Bye mare First Dashin Bye. The bay colt has compiled a (7) 3-2-1 record and earned $298,412.

For the complete list of Firecracker Derby finalist, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Delta Downs will wrap up its eighth week of American Quarter Horse racing on Saturday with an 11-race program that gets underway at 6:15 pm CT. The track will conduct six qualifying trials for this year’s $271,950 Firecracker Futurity (Gr. 2) during the night.

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.

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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