Pop A Top Corona Fastest For Open Graduation Stakes At Delta Downs

Pop A Top Corona, under jockey jockey Guadalupe Lucio, Jr., rolls to the fastest qualifying time for the $135,690 Open Graduation Stakes (not black type) on Wednesday at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–JUNE 14, 2023–Delta Downs conducted seven qualifying trials for this year’s $135,690 Open Graduation Stakes (not black type) on Wednesday night.

The fastest qualifier for the 350-yard final, which will take place on July 5, was Bobby J. Barnett’s Pop A Top Corona ($3.60), who won the third trial of the evening under jockey Guadalupe Lucio, Jr.

The win by Pop A Top Corona was ultra-impressive as the 3-year-old colt burst from the gate and lead every step of the way, reporting home with a final running time of :17.747 seconds. That clocking equaled a speed index of 87.

Pop A Top Corona, who is trained by Fernando Valdez, has now won two consecutive races during his nine-race career. He broke his maiden at Delta Downs earlier this meet on May 11.

Each trial on Wednesday carried a purse of $5,000 and winner’s share was $3,000. Pop a Top Corona has now earned a total of $26,780.

Bred in Louisiana by his owner, Pop A Top Corona is a bay colt by champion Open Me A Corona out of the Dashin Bye mare Corona Dashin Bye.

Ja Zooms, under jockey Ubaldo Luna, was a half-length winner in the sixth trial to get the second fastest clocking of :17.873 seconds into a 5 mph crosswind. Trainer Joel Huitron saddled the 3-year-old son of multiple stakes sire First Prize Doc to his second consecutive win.

Ja Zooms broke his maiden at Delta Downs for owner Ariel Gutierrez. A finals in the Laddie Futurity(RG2) last season, DSK, Ltd. bred Ja Zooms from the Azoom mare Zavona. He has compiled an (8) 2-2-1 record and banked $33,600.

CLICK HERE for the 10 finalists for the Open Graduation Stakes, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

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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.