News - Racing March  28, 2024

Zoomin Baby Qualifies Fastest For The $171,630 Firecracker Derby At Delta Downs


Zoomin Baby, under jockey John Hamilton, splashes to the top qualifying time in Friday night's Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 12, 2015— Delta Downs conducted three qualifying trials for this year’s $171,630 Firecracker Derby on Friday night and it was Craig Lauger’s gray gelding Zoomin Baby who won the first trial and qualified fastest for the July 3 final. Zoomin Baby covered 400 yards over a sloppy track in 19.701, which equaled a speed index of 92.

After the first trial was made official the track condition was changed to muddy. The winner of the third trial, Volcoms Thunder, recorded the second fastest time of the night at 19.710 and the winner of the second trial wound up with the third fastest time of the night at 19.731.

Zoomin Baby, who is trained by Michael Taylor and was ridden by John Hamilton, has made winning a habit during his career. Friday night’s tally marked the fifth of his seven-race career. He has now won two of three starts over the Delta Downs strip.

Bred in Texas by Jackie Sessions, Zoomin Baby is a gelded son of Jess Zoomin, out of the Royal Quick Dash mare Royal Baby. Zoomin Baby was purchased for $13,500 as a yearling at Heritage Place in 2013.

Raul Galvan's Volcoms Thunder put in a late rush in the final trial to get the second fastest qualifying time of :19.710 seconds, a 92 speed index. Also trained by Galvan, the son of leading sire Volcom was ridden by jockey Juan Marquez. P.K. Thomas bred the Texas-bred from the Dean Miracle mare Ill Gethca Good. Volcoms Thunder is a $5,000 2014 Heritage Place Mixed Sale graduate.

Glimpse Of Dash scored a head win over Ipolito in the second trial to post the third fastest time of :19.731 seconds, a 91 speed index. Homar Garza conditions the Glimpse Of Greatness gelding for owner Jaime Flores. Raul Ramirez, Jr. was aboard the Mauro Valdez Texas-bred out of Double Dash Queen, by Moon Shine Dash.

Each of the Firecracker Derby trials offered a purse of $7,000 and the winner’s share in each race was $4,200. The final will be contest on Friday, July 3 and the winner will take home $85,815.

For the complete list of 10 finalists for the Firecracker Derby along with their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Delta Downs will close out its ninth week of racing tomorrow night with another 10-race program that starts at 6:15 pm CT. The Saturday card will feature eight qualifying trials for this year’s $318,120 Firecracker Futurity (G2), which will be run on Saturday, July 4.

For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’.

For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’.

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

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.

Courtesy Ses