Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News - Racing February 16, 2025

Lightemupwithcharm Best in $60,000 Vals Fortune Stakes(RG2) at Delta Downs Friday

Lightemupwithcharm, under jockey Everardo Rodriguez, winning the $60,000 Vals Fortune Stakes(RG2) Friday at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 8, 2018—Lightemupwithcharm dueled early and was best late to defeat Bubba Mallard by half-a-length in the $60,000 Vals Fortune Stakes(RG2) Friday night at Delta Downs.

Ridden by jockey Everardo Rodriguez, Lightemupwithcharm rolled over the 400 yards course in :19.468 seconds to earn a 101 speed index and bank the winner's purse valued at $36,000.

It was the first career stakes victory for the Sizzlin Cartel gelding from the barn of trainer Martin Trejo. Saul Dorado owns the 4-year-old out of Grace Filled Charm by Feature Mr Jess. Bred by Jumonville Farms, Lightemupwithcharm has compiled a (16) 5-2-2 record and earned $134,820. He was a finalist in the LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) at 2 and the Delta Downs Louisiana-Bred Derby(RG3) at Delta Downs last summer.

Runner-up Bubba Mallard races for owner Salvador Marquez and trainer Michael Taylor. John Hamilton had the riding call aboard the multiple stakes-placed son of leading Louisiana sire Sir Runaway Dash from the First Down Jewell mare Miss Mallard.

The winning connections of Lightemupwithcharm accepting the Vals Fortune Stakes trophy Friday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography

Gerald Patin bred the 4-year-old gelding who has compiled a (15) 3-3-1 record. The $12,000 runner-up Vals Fortune purse boosted the gray's bankroll to $61,577.

Coming off a second-place effort in the Open Me A Corona(RG2) Stakes last month, Jrs Coronas Shadow earned $6,600 for third.

AQHA Racing champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. saddled the Coronas Leaving You 4-year-old out of Shadow Of Colors by Dashing Val. A graded stakes winner, bred by Julien Stevens III, Jrs Coronas Shadow has earned nearly $225,000. David Alvarez was riding.

Heza Louisiana Dash, Perrys Jumpn Beduino, Strong Guns, One Hot Flame, Bjs Magic Wings and Pop Rocket Jess.

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.

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

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.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.