News - Racing March  29, 2024

Mega Hero Keeps His Winning Streak Alive In The Firecracker Derby At Delta Downs


Mega Hero, under jockey Manuel Gutierrez, surges to victory in the $172,580 Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs Friday night.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 30, 2017—Double H Racing Investments, LLC’s Mega Hero came into Friday night’s $172,580 Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs with the fastest qualifying time while also sporting a four-race winning streak including the Old South Futurity on May 12.

After the dust had settled, the Jose Sanchez trainee had made it five wins in a row while taking the richest race of his career under jockey Manuel Gutierrez.

Mega Hero broke alertly from post position nine of a 10-horse field in the Firecracker Derby and soon gained momentum approaching the midway point of the 400-yard showdown for 3-year-olds.

As Mega Hero approached the finish line he found himself in a battle with Graceful Eagle, who got bumped at the start but shook it off to make a bid for the lead from the inside. Mega Hero got the finish line a half-length in front of Graceful Eagle to claim victory while One Sweet Picky closed ground on the far outside to claim third, another head behind the top pair.

Mega Hero covered the distance of the Firecracker Derby in :19.696 second over a fast track. That clocking equaled a speed index of 95.

The winning connections of Mega Hero accept the Firecracker Derby stakes trophy Friday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography
Mega Hero has now won six of nine starts overall and has banked a total of $132,385. Friday night’s paycheck was worth $86,290 to the winner.

Bred in Texas by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC, Mega here is a 3-year-old brown gelding by Jet Black Patriot out of the Separatist mare Separatist In View.

Bumped at the start Graceful Eagle dueled to her second-place effort under jockey Damian Martinez. Trainer Eusevio Huitron saddled the One Famous Eagle filly for owner Florentino Leon. Thomas Bradbury bred last year's Texas Classic Juvenile winner in Colorado from the Corona Cartel mare Duplicate Chick. The $29,338 runner-up purse boosted the bay's earnings to $86,885.

Multiple stakes-placed One Sweet Pick picked up $17,258 following late rush, under jockey Luciano Duenez, to get third. Rodolfo Sanchez saddled the One Sweet Jess filly for owner Ricardo Barrera. Scarlett Hill Farm Inc. bred the bay filly in Texas from the Sticks An Stones mare Sticky N Picky. She has earned $104,003.

Sent to the gate at odds of 4-5, Mega Hero paid $3.60 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Graceful Eagle was worth $4.20 to place and $3.40 to show. One Sweet Picky returned $3.80 to show.

Jess A Tr, Katharsis, Moral Compass, Ardor, Tres Seis Sign, Td Famous Jes and Carmel Diamond completed the field.

Delta Downs will close out its next-to-last week of racing on Saturday night with another 12-race program that kicks off at 6:15 pm. The featured race is the $274,325 Firecracker Futurity (G2) going as the 11th race on the card.

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