Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News - Racing April 20, 2024

Tdz Royal Runaway Sets Fastest Time In First Day Of Lee Berwick Futurity Trials At Delta Downs

Fast Dashin Diamond, under jockey David Alvarez, setting the fastest time for the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby on Friday afternoon at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JULY 9, 2021—Delta Downs conducted a special 12-race program on Friday that included four trials for this year’s $203,122 Delta Downs Derby (RG3) (see related story) and the first eight of 16 total trials for the richest race of the season, the $826,620 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).

Completion of the Lee Berwick trials will take place on Saturday with the five fastest times from each day making up the field for the rich final, which will take place along with the Delta Downs Derby on closing night, Saturday, July 31.

Heading the list of Lee Berwick qualifiers from Friday was Tony Doughtie’s Tdz Royal Runaway, who won the first Lee Berwick trial of the day under jockey David Alvarez. The Kenneth Roberts, Sr. trainee stopped the clock in a time of :17.418 seconds while running on a sealed muddy track. That time equaled a speed index of 95.

Tdz Royal Runaway has now won three of five lifetime starts and has now qualified for his second futurity of the year. Before his run on Friday he finished third in the $347,000 Laddie Futurity (RG2) at Delta Downs on June 12. His Lee Berwick trial victory placed another $7,200 into his bankroll, which now stands at $54,664.

Bred in Louisiana by his owner, Tdz Royal Runaway is a 2-year-old gray gelding by multiple stakes sire Sir Runaway Dash, out of the Hadtobenuts mare Thequeenhasgonenuts.

Quid Pro Quo, a son of multiple stakes sire Five Bar Cartel, kept his record a perfect 3-for-3 after winning the sixth trial by 1-½ lengths under jockey Randy Edison. The sorrel gelding posted the second fastest clocking of :17.571, a 91 speed index on day 1. Trainer Fructuoso Huitron trains the 2-year-old, out of Jess Tempting To Bly by Tempting Dash, for owner Jeronimo Silva.

Quid Pro Quo broke his maiden in the Laddie Futurity trials then won an allowance at Delta on June 17th. He has banked $29,400 in three starts.

For a complete list of Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1)qualifiers from day 1, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The second five fastest qualifiers from today will be given preference by qualifying times for the $75,000 Louisiana Juvenile. For a list of those horses CLICK HERE.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Delta Downs will close out its race week on Saturday with an eight-race program starting at 3 pm. Each race will serve as a qualifier for this year’s Lee Berwick Futurity as the five fastest times from the day will join the five fastest times above to make up the final field of 10.

Delta Downs will continue with its eight week of American Quarter Horse racing on Wednesday with another nine-race program that begins at 3 pm.

For more information about the season visit the track’s website at deltadownsracing.com.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.