News - Racing March  28, 2024

Droff, Sir Shambles Battle to Top Times in Old South Derby Trials


Droff (#7) holds off Sr Shambles (#8) to set the fastest qualifying time for the $69,552 Old South Derby at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—APRIL 20, 2018—Droff held off stakes winner Sr Shambles to set the top qualifying mark from five trials contested opening night at Delta Downs for the Old South Derby.

Droff showed early speed under jockey Luis Vivanco then held off Sr Shambles by a neck to record a :17.425 clocking, a 97 speed index and the top qualifying time from the 42 3-year-olds who starting in the Old South Derby trials.

Trainer Salvador Flores saddled the Texas homebred son of world champion sire FDD Dynasty to his second career win for owner/breeder Jorge Haddad. Droff entered the trials off a third-place Allowance effort at Sam Houston on March 31st.

Out of the Corona Cartel mare Cindys First Cd, Droff was touted as one of the top 2-year-olds to watch last summer after he posted the fastest training race at the mountain racetrack prior last year's opening weekend. He has compiled a (8) 2-0-2 record and eared $9,622.

Sr Shambles, winner of the Heartland Futurity at Indiana Grand late last summer was ridden to the second fastest time of :17.441 seconds by jockey Jorge Linares. Josue Ponce conditions the son of Desirio for owner Ruben Garcia Montemayor.

The bay gelding qualified for the Firecracker Futurity(G2) at Delta Downs, the Evangeline Downs Futurity and QHRA of Indiana Stallion Service Auction Futurity last season.

Bred in Oklahoma by Jovetta Meredith, from the Azoom mare Parisz, Sr Shambles has compiled a (15) 5-4-0 record and banked over $100,000.

The Carter II, under jockey John Hamilton, was a half-length winner in the final trial to post the third fastest time of :17.441 seconds, a 96 speed index.

Making his first start since a second-place effort in an Optional Claiming race at Louisiana Downs in February, the son of champion Carters Cartel races for owner/breeder Aaron Harvey. Michael Taylor saddled the bay gelding from the Strawfly Special mare Wanna Fly. The Carter II has earned $15,640 with a (8) 3-1-3 record.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Delta Downs on Friday, May 11th to vie for the winner's share of a $69,552 purse.

FDD Dynasty and leading sire Apollitical Jess were the only sires with multiple qualifiers, getting two each into the final. Trainer Josue Ponce saddled two qualifiers, while jockey Rolando Pina qualified to horses.

For a complete list of Old South Derby qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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