News - Racing March  28, 2024

Ms Diamond Prize Sets Fastest Time For The $98,150 Old South Derby At Delta Downs


Ms Diamond Prize, under jockey David Alvarez, setting the fastest qualifying time for the Old South Derby.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JUNE 10, 2020— Delta Downs opened its 2020 American Quarter Horse season on Wednesday night with a nine-race program that included six qualifying trials for this year’s Old South Derby.

The fastest qualifier for the $98,150 final, which will be contested on July 3, was Joel Huitron’s 3-year-old filly Ms. Diamond Prize with jockey David Alvarez in the saddle.

Ms Diamond Prize was making her fourth start of the year in the Old South trials and she broke from the inside post position in the final qualifying heat of the night. The Fructuoso Huitron trainee broke fast and led throughout, coving the 350 yards in a time of 17.439 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 94.

Ms Diamond Prize, a 3-year-old filly by multiple stakes sire Fast Prize Jordan out of the Oak Tree Special mare Ms Diamond Oak, has now won four of 14 career starts and earned $67,718. Runner-up in last year's Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (RG2), the sorrel filly has also qualified to the LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1), Lassie Futurity(RG2) and the Mardi Gras Derby.

Sensational Senator, second to Ms Diamond Prize, held on to the second fastest time of :17.481 seconds, a 93 speed index. Daniel Luna trains the four-time winner for owner Claudia Miranda. Bred by S Bar S, the daughter of Louisiana Senator is out of I Opening Sensation by Eyesa Special. Ubaldo Luna was riding.

Florentino Leon's Lovethewayyourun, under jockey Nestor Duran, won the broke her maiden in the opening trial to get the third fastest clocking of :17.511 seconds, also a 92 speed index. Adrian Huitron trains the son of world champion One Dashing Eagle from the Corona Cartel mare Duplicate Check.

Bred in Colorado by Thomas Bradbury, Lovethewayyourun was a finalist in the Grade 2 Firecracker Futurity last summer and the Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes.

CLICK HERE for the complete list of Old South Derby qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

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Delta Downs will continue its opening week of racing on Thursday with a 10-race program. Each race is a trial for this year’s $151,255 Old South Futurity. First post time is at 5:15 pm Central Time.

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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