News - Racing March  29, 2024

Haddad Homebreds Finish 1-2 In Grade 3 Firecracker Derby


Santander (#6), under jockey Francisco Calderon, defeating Anasttasia (#9) in the $186,925 Firecracker Derby(G3) Wednesday at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JULY 3, 2019—A pair of homebreds racing for owner Jorge Haddad battled it out to finish 1-2 in the $186,925 Firecracker Derby(G3) Wednesday night at Delta Downs. Santander, from the barn of trainer M. Heath Taylor, defeated Anasttasia by a neck to take home the winner's purse worth $93,362.

With a solid rally under jockey Francisco Calderon, Santander completed the 400 yards in :19.502 seconds, equaling a 97 speed index. It was the third career win in nine starts for the Oklahoma-bred son of world champion sire FDD Dynasty.

Haddad bred the bay colt from the Feature Mr Jess mare In A Feature Girl. It was the first career stakes victory for the $134,823 earner.

Runner-up Anasttasia, also bred-and-owned by Haddad, is conditioned by champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. John Hamilton rode the daughter of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel from multiple grade 1 producing First Down Dash mare Las Alamitos.

The winning connections of Santander accept the Firecracker Derby stakes trophy at Delta Downs.
© Coady Photography
The Texas-bred filly has compiled a (10) 3-3-1 record and today's second-place purse of $31,777 boosted her earnings total to $124,356. Last season Anasttasia won the Iowa Double Gold Futurity and she was a finalist in the TQHA Sale Futurity(RG3) and this season's Old South Derby.

Haddad also owns her sire, The Louisiana Cartel who stands at Louisiana Center For Equine Reproduction in Opelousas.

Parti Wagon, a son of leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon, finished three-quarters off the leaders to earn $18,962 for owner Blaine Beene. Nason Eschete trains the brown gelding with Rolando Pina getting the riding call. Parti Wagon is an Indiana-bred from the Okey Dokey Dale mare Sheisassheis.

Sent to the gate at odds of 3-1, Santander paid $8.80 to win, $4.40 to place and $2.80 to show. Anasttasia was worth $6.40 to place and $3.80 to show. Parti Wagon returned $2.80 to show.

Diamond G Bee, Fm In A Zatanaz Too, Boldt, Unstopable Moment, Sallvatore and Iam Pascual Cartel completed the field. Fastest qualifier Mia Jet In was scratched.

Delta Downs will continue its holiday week stakes activity on Thursday night with the $308,863 Firecracker Futurity (G2) for 2-year-olds squaring off at 350 yards. The fastest qualifier for the event is A Painted Dynasty, from the barn of Josue Ponce.

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For more information about the new season visit the track's website at deltadownsracing.com.

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