Motion Of Grace Prevails In The $261,595 Firecracker Futurity At Delta Downs

Motion Of Grace, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., winning the $261,595 Firecracker Futurity (G2) on Saturday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–JULY 8, 2023–Delta Downs hosted the $261,595 Firecracker Futurity (G2) on Saturday night, and it was Francisco J. Garza’s Motion Of Grace who ran off with the victory under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr.

The gray filly was making her stakes debut after qualifying for the event on June 17 with the fourth fastest time.

Breaking from post position three in a field of nine, Motion Of Grace battled for the early lead in the 350-yard race before pulling clear with 100 yards to go. At the finish line there was no doubt about the winner, as Motion Of Grace reported home ¾ of a length in front of longshot Kas Debut GL, who rallied for second.

It was only a nose back to the third-place finisher, Lightning Trend.

Owner Francisco Javier Garza accepts the Firecracker Futurity stakes trophy Saturday night at Delta Downs.
© Coady Photography

Motion Of Grace, who is trained by Juan Diaz, Jr., covered the Firecracker distance in a time of :17.595 seconds. That time equaled a speed index of 91. Each race on the program was contested over a fast track.

Motion Of Grace has now won three of four career starts and finished second once. She earned $130,797 for the Firecracker win and now owns a lifetime bankroll of $146,057.

Bred in Oklahoma by her owner, Motion Of Grace is a 2-year-old gray filly by All American Futurity(G1) sire Hes Relentless, out of the Jumpn Chic mare Jumpn Beau Chick.

Runner-up Kas Debut Gl races for owner-breeder Garza Laurel Partnership LLC and is trained by Luis Sanchez, III. Grace Of Motion owner Javier Garza is part of the Garza Laurel Partnership.

Arturo Alvarez had the riding call on the daughter of first-crop sire Kas Tempting from the Apollitical Jess mare Political Debut. The Texas bred filly picked up $44,471 for her effort tonight, pushing her earnings to $49,996 from five starts.

Lightning Trend finished a nose back to earn 26,159 for third. Trainer David Bustamante named jockey Guadalupe Lucio, Jr. to ride the Texas-bred Mr Piloto gelding for himself and co-owner Angelo Potts. 

Also a finalist in the Old South Futurity, Lightning Trend was bred by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farms LLC from the Corona Cartel mare Cash Cartel. The 2-year-old gelding has earned $42,409.

Sent to the gate at odds of 7-1, Motion Of Grace paid $16 to win, $6.40 to place and $4.40 to show. Kas Debut Gl was worth $38.80 to place and $12.20 to show. Lightning Trend paid $4.60 to show.

Woopaa123, Won For Da Money, San Lorenzita, Serious Eagle Rising, Flashing Goodtime and Regardlezz completed the field. B Second Cowboy was scratched.

Delta Downs will race again next Wednesday through Saturday nights, July 12 – 15. The Saturday program is the richest of the year offering nine stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses and the season’s most lucrative event, the $624,792 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1). First post time each night is scheduled for 6:10 pm.

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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.