Sixes Flash Picks The Perfect Time To Break His Maiden In The $274,325 Firecracker Futurity At Delta

VINTON, LA—JUNE 10, 2017—After posting the 10th fastest qualifying time and having yet to visit the winner’s circle in five previous starts, Rancho Herradura, LLC’s Sixes Flash decided to run the biggest race of his life when it counted the most in Saturday’s $274,325 Firecracker Futurity (G2) at Delta Downs.

The Erasmo Hernandez trainee used a strong late surge to grab victory under jockey Rolando Cabrera.

After breaking from the gate sharply in the test for 2-year-olds, Sixes Flash battled for the lead throughout the race and needed a strong late kick to reach the finish line a neck in front of runner-up Emnent. Capital Ice, the early leader, also put in a strong showing and was involved in the photo finish for second but settled the show spot another neck behind Emnent.

Sixes Flash, who barely made it to the final of the Firecracker Futurity after stumbling at the start of his trial and rallying for third-place finish in the fastest heat, covered the 350 yards of the race in 17.622 seconds. That time earned him a speed index of 91.

Sixes Flashed earned $137,162 for his tally in the Firecracker and now boasts a career bankroll of $147,405. Overall, he has one win, one second and three thirds from six lifetime starts.

Bred in Texas by Jerry Windham, Sixes Flash is a sorrel colt by Streakin Sixes, out of the Shazoom mare Viborita. He was purchased by his current connections for $6,500 at the 2016 Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.

Bobby D. Cox's homebred Emnent rallied under jockey Donald Watson to get second. The Texas-bred son of multiple stakes winner Dominyun earned $46,635 for his effort. Kenneth Roberts, Sr. conditions the gelding out of Bodacious Dream by Corona Cartel. Also, fourth in the Harrah's Entertainment Futurity(G3) and fifth in the Old South Futurity, Emnent has earned $73,671.

Jody Garcia's Capital Ice boosted his career earnings to nearly $70,000 after pocketing $27,432 for finishing third. Jose Sanchez trains the Ivory James gelding with Jose Ivan Martinez riding. Bred in Texas by Womack / Cavender Farms, from the Mr Eye Opener mare Fantastic Six, Capital Ice was fourth in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity in April.

Capitan Jimbob finished fourth but was disqualified and placed sixth for interfering with Easy Gold Pop at the break. The official order of finish was Desire Astoli fourth followed by Easy Gold Pop, Capitan Jimbob, Sr Shambles, Dont Temp Me, First Girl Ever and Flash Version.

Sent to the gate at odds of 13-1, Sixes Flash paid $29.40 to win, $13 to place and $7 to place. Emnent returned $4.80 to place and $3.60 to show. Capital Ice was worth $5.20 to show.

Delta Downs will begin its closing week of American Quarter Horse racing on Wednesday night. The track will host 12-race programs through Saturday night with special early post times of 5:45 pm CT. Next Saturday night’s program will serve as Louisiana Showcase Night with eight Louisiana-bred stakes races highlighted by the $705,495 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).

Delta Downs will close out its next-to-last week of racing on Saturday night with another 12-race program that kicks off at 6:15 pm. The featured race is the $274,325 Firecracker Futurity (G2) going as the 11th race on the card.

For more information about the upcoming season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

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  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.