Pappacito Rolls To Victory In The $108,615 Old South Derby At Delta Downs

Pappacito, under jockey Gilbert Ortiz, easily winning the $108,614 Old South Derby Friday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–MAY 18, 2023–Delta Downs hosted the $108,615 Old South Derby on Friday night and the winner was the fastest qualifier for the event, Robin L. Redding’s Pappacito under jockey Gilbert Ortiz.

The Heath Taylor trainee made quick work of his eight rivals to snare the first stakes win of his career.

Breaking from post position three in a field of nine, Pappacito broke sharply before getting down to business and driving clear for a decisive 1-1/4 length victory over Pk Pure Rogue in the 350-yard showdown.

Jj Freight Star was another ¾ of a length behind the top pair finishing third. Pappacito covered the distance over a fast track in a time of :17.617, which earned him a speed index of 91.

The winning connections of Pappacito accept the Old South Derby stakes trophy on Friday night at Delta Downs.
© Coady Photography

The win by Pappacito was the fourth of his seven-race career and his third in four starts at Delta Downs. The $54,308 first place paycheck raised his career bankroll up to $100,89.

Bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, Pappacito is a 3-year-old gray gelding by Ivory James, out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apolitical Pac.

Runner-up Pk Pure Rogue earned $18,465 for his second-place effort. Trainer Dustin Rhodes named Ubaldo Luna to ride the son of multiple stakes sire Heza Fast Rogues for owner Jose Rodriguez. Phatt Kat Ranch bred the multiple stakes-placed gelding from the from Agouti mare Kinky Boots. Pk Pure Rogue has banked $74,172 in 12 career starts.

Jorge Alan Bazaldua, Jr.'s Jj Freight Star picked up $10,862 for third. Xavier Scott conditions the Freighttrain B gelding out of Jess A Little Star by Jess An Idea. J & J Stables LLC bred the $51,785 earner. Guadalupe Lucio, Jr. was riding.

Sent off as the heavy 3-5 wagering favorite, Pappacito paid $3.20 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Pk Pure Rogue was worth $3.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Jj Freight Star returned $5.20 to show.

Lil Freighttrain, Freighttrainacumin, Im First In Firstout, Feature Five Bar, This Train Flies and Moon Diamond completed the field.

Delta Downs will close out its fourth week of American Quarter Horse racing on Saturday night with another nine-race program. The featured event will be the $170,840 Old South Futurity for 2-year-olds who qualified on April 29.

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

About Delta Downs
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. For more information about the season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.