Solaia Springs the Upset in the $150,000 Big Easy Futurity at Delta Downs

Solaia, ridden by Victor Urieta, Jr., wins the $150,000 Big Easy Futurity at Delta Downs on Friday.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA – SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 – It was an upset in the feature race of the Friday night card at Delta Downs as Solaia won the $150,000 Big Easy Futurity at 13-1.

Solaia ($29.00) and Victor Urieta, Jr. dueled down the stretch from the three hole and prevailed by a neck. She finished the 350-yard race in :17.789 and earned an 86 speed index.

Friday’s futurity field was determined from nine trials held on August 10, in which Solaia was the eighth fastest qualifier in :18.095.

Solaia is trained by Juan Diaz, Jr. for owner Carlos Ponce. The EC Jet One filly was bred in Texas by Tykhe Racing LLC, out of the Favorite Cartel mare Truly Favorite.

Friday marked the first stakes win in Solaia’s career. She broke her maiden at Sam Houston and competed in trials for the Louisiana Downs Futurity, Sam Houston Futurity and TQHA Sale Futurity before qualifying to her first stake, the Big Easy.

The winning connections of Solana accept the $150,000 Big Easy Futurity winning trophy at Delta Downs on Friday. © Coady Photography

Solaia is three for six in her career and added the winner’s share of $75,000 to her career total of $92,410.

Lightning Trend and Guadalupe Lucio, Jr. edged out Special Royal Zipper and Ubaldo Luna by a head for second place.

Tenth fastest qualifier Lightning Trend is trained by David Bustamante, who also co-owns the gelding with Angelo Potts.

The son of Mr Piloto was bred by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC, out of the Corona Cartel mare Cash Cartel.

Lightning Trend was graded stakes placed coming into the Big Easy after finishing third in the Firecracker Futurity (G3) at Delta in July. He also qualified to the Old South Futurity in May and is two for seven lifetime with $68,059 earned.

Luis Castellanos’ Special Royal Zipper was the third fastest qualifier to Friday’s stake and made just her fifth career start in the race. The Special Royal Corona filly is trained by Ray Mayo. She was bred by John Boegner, out of Zippen Bok, by Boknaai.

Special Royal Zipper broke her maiden in her debut at Louisiana Downs in March and has finished in the money in four of her five starts. She has earned $27,100 to date.

Completing the field were Jonezs, Sorona Rose, Apolitical Queen, Serious Eagle Rising, G Nah Nah B and Hemmingway. B Second Cowboy was a late scratch at the gate.