Running Game Patriot Runs Them Off Their Feet In The Louisiana Purchase Stakes

VINTON, LA—MAY 6, 2017—Delta Downs capped off its third week of American Quarter Horse racing on Saturday night with the featured $40,000 Louisiana Purchase Stakes, which was won by Pete A. Scarmardo’s Running Game Patriot with jockey Jimmy Guynes in the saddle.

Running Game Patriot, who is trained by Brian Stroud, broke very alertly in the field of seven and lead nearly gate to wire in the 350-yard event. At the finish line he was ¾ of a length in front of My Favorite Blue, who settled for second, while Heza Fast Wokatee wound up another head behind in third.

The winner covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 17.453, which earned him a speed index of 95.

The win by Running Game Patriot marked the fourth of his 23-race career. He earned $24,000 for the effort which increased his lifetime bankroll to $119,584. Saturday’s triumph marked the first stakes tally of his career as well.

Running Game Patriot is a 5-year-old gelding by Game Patriot out of the Eyesa Special mare Eyesa La Tac. The bay runner was bred in Louisiana by S Bar S and/or Ryan Robicheaux.

Manuel Macias saddled runner-up My Favorite Blue for owner Saul Dorado. David Alvarez had the riding call aboard the Jumonville Farms bred son of Jess Louisiana Blue from the Fishers Dash mare Dasha Effort. The multiple stakes-placed 4-year-old earned $8,000 to boost his career mark to $96,768.

Third-place finisher Heza Fast Wokatee is owned-and-trained by Bobby Martinez. Martinez also co-bred the son of Heza Fast Dash with S. Montemayor from the Shazoom mare Wokatee. Damian Martinez was aboard to earn $4,440. The multiple stakes-placed gelding has earned $94,431.

Sent to the gate as a slight favorite at odds of 5-2, Running Game Patriot paid $7.20 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.80 to show. My Favorite Blue was worth $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show. Heza Fast Wokatee returned $3.40 to show.

Lil Bro Big Streak, First Prize Jet, Zoominforgrady and The Renaissance Man completed the field. Voncitas Game was scratched.

Delta Downs kicks off its fourth week of racing on Wednesday night with another 10-race program that is scheduled to begin at 6:15 pm.

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.