Masseto Scores An Upset In Grade 3 $90,755 Firecracker Derby At Delta Downs

Masseto, under jockey Maro Trujillo, winning the Grade 3 $90,755 Firecracker Derby Friday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–JULY 7, 2023–The $90,755 Firecracker Derby (G3) was contested at Delta Downs on Friday night and the winner was Jose I. Rocha’s Masseto under jockey Mario Trujillo. The veteran jockey got a leg up before the race by his son, winning trainer Mario Trujillo, Jr.

Breaking from the inside post position in the field of 10, Masseto broke well and proceeded to drive to the lead midway through the 400-yard test for 3-year-olds. Nearing the finish line, he held off a late charge by Sumpns Up, who closed stoutly but came up a head short of the winner at the finish line.

The odds-on favorite, Pappacito, was never a threat to win and finished third, another 1-1/4 lengths behind the top pair.

Masseto covered the distance over a fast track in 20.176 seconds. The clocking equaled a speed index of 84.

The wining connections of Masseto picked up the Firecracker Derby stakes trophy on Friday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography

Masseto showed talent as a 2-year-old by finishing third in the Louisiana Million at Evangeline Downs but could do no better than 4th in the Firecracker Derby trials on June 16. That prompted the wagering public to dismiss him on Saturday at odds of 15-1 and he paid $32.40 to win, $13.20 to place and $6.80 to show. Sumpns Up returned $8.20 to place and $4.80 to show. Pappacito was worth $2.40 to show.

The win by Masseto was the third of his 13-race career. He earned $45,378 for the tally and now boasts an overall bankroll of $184,028.

Bred in Louisiana by Spring Hill Farms, LLC, Masseto is a 3-year-old sorrel gelding by multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess, out of the Dash Ta Fame mare Full Moon Dasher. He was purchased at the 2021 Louisiana Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale for $40,000.  Full Moon Dasher has produced multiple stakes horses including Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) winner Dashnunder Afullmoon.

Runner-up Sumpns Up earned $15,428 for his second-place effort.  The son of leading sire Mr Jess Perry just missed under jockey Arturo Alvarez. Willie J. Simien, Jr. trains the Oklahoma-bred gelding for owner JP Quarter Horses. Reliance Ranches LLC bred Sumpns Up from the Corona Cartel mare Penthouse Sweet. The Firecracker Derby earnings doubled his bankroll to $31,962.

Fastest qualifier Pappacito put in a solid try under jockey Gilbert Ortiz to finish third. M. Heath Taylor conditions the Ivory James multiple graded stakes winner for owner Robin Redding. Bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, from the Apollitical Jess mare Apollitical Pac, Pappacito used the $9,076 third-place payday to increase his earnings to $112,971.

Im First In Firstout and One Fine V dead-heated for fourth, followed by Hez Hunters Rogue, A Secret To Catch, Jess Perry Pretty, Apollitical Magic and Lil Freighttrain.

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Delta Downs will close out its race week on Saturday with another 10-race program starting at 6:10 pm. The featured race will be the $261,000 Firecracker Futurity (G2).

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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.