Shesa Diamond Diva Posts The Fastest Time For This Year’s $268,655 Delta Downs Derby

Shesa Diamond Diva, under jockey Eddie Sanchez, setting the fastest time in Friday's $268,655 Delta Downs Louisiana-bred Derby (RG3) trials.

© Coady Photography

Posting the fastest time for this year’s Delta Downs Derby was Crown Horse Racing LLC’s Shesa Diamond Diva, who was ridden to victory by jockey Eddie Sanchez. The Jose L. Sanchez III trainee won the third trial of the night in a time of 19.546 for 400 yards over a fast track. That time equaled a speed index of 98.

Shesa Diamond Diva has now won four of eight career starts and has earned $278,221. The majority of her earnings came last year when she finished second to You Drive I Fly in the Louisiana Million Futurity at Evangeline Downs.

Shesa Diamond Diva is a 3-year-old gray filly by Struttin to Beduino, out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Sheza Fortune. Paul C. Fontenot, Jr bred her in Louisiana.

Coming off a win in the Vinton Stakes last month, Featuring Fast Jet scored a half-length win over last year's Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) winner Jrs Taylors Runaway to get the second fastest clocking of :19.690 seconds.

Jockey Noe Castaneda had the riding call aboard the son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash for trainer Eduardo Morales and owner Fernando Ramos. Jumonville Farms and Burnett Ranch bred the sorrel gelding from Featuringmissjess, by Mr Jess Prery.

Heza Fsat Dash, Coronas Leaving You, Game Patriot and Sir Runaway Dash sired two qualifiers each. Trainers Michael Taylor and Kenneth Roberts Sr. each saddled two qualifiers each.

For the complete list of Delta LA-Bred Derby finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Delta Downs will close out this week of live racing on Saturday night with a special 14-race card that begins early at 4:30 pm. Each race on the program is a trial for this year’s $700,000 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).

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.

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.