One Fine V Rolls To Easy Victory In The $305,865 Firecracker Futurity At Delta Downs

One Fine V, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., winning the Grade 2 $305,865 Firecracker Futurity Saturday at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–JULY 9, 2022–Delta Downs hosted its richest open-bred stakes race of the year on Saturday as the $305,865 Firecracker Futurity (G2) took center stage to close out the race week.

The 350-yard test for 2-year-olds was won by the fastest qualifier, One Fine V under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr. The winner is owned by Jose Maria Garza and Mario H. Vazquez and is conditioned Josue Ponce, who also trained the runner-up, Jl Apollitical Miss.

One Fine V drew the No. 8 post position in the Firecracker Futurity after posting the fastest qualifying time for the race back on June 17. The spot in the starting gate worked out well as she burst from the gate and went right to the lead.

After battling with stablemate Jl Apollitical Miss for the first 100 yards, One Fine V began to draw clear and reported home 1-1/2 lengths in front of her rival while Pappacito held on for third, another head behind the runner-up.

Stopping the clock in a time of 17.222 seconds while running on a fast track, One Fine V earned a speed index of 101.

The win marked the third of One Fine V’s five-race career. She earned $152,933 for the Firecracker tally and now has a career bankroll of $298,210. She also earned a tidy sum at Remington Park on May 28 when she finished third in the $1.1 million Heritage Place Futurity (G1).

The winning connections of One Finve V accept the Firecracker Futurity stakes trophy Friday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography

Bred in Oklahoma by Sammy Valeriano, One Fine V is a 2-year-old sorrel filly by One Famous Eagle, out of the Corona Cartel mare Sera Fina. She was purchased for $17,500 at the 2021 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale

Runner-up Jl Apollitical Miss dueled early and held for second under jockey Jose Herbert. The $19,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate races for owners Josefina Guzman and is also conditioned by Ponce.

Juan Ramon Lozano, Sr. bred the daughter of leading sire Apollitical Blood in Louisiana from the Eyesa Special mare Special Sultry Miss. The gray filly picked up $51,997 for second, pushing her bankroll to over $66,500.

Racing for owner Robin Redding and trainer M. Heath Taylor, third-place finisher Pappacito earned $30,587 for third. The son of millionaire sire Ivory James entered the Firecracker Futurity with a perfect 2-for-2 record after winning both his Firecracker Futurity(G1) trial and a trial for the Sam Houston Futurity(G2) in his career debut.

Champion breeder Bobby D. Cox bred the gray gelding in Texas from the Apollitical Jess mare Apolitical Pac. Redding paid $30,000 for Pappacito at the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.

Sent to the starting gate at odds of 2-5, One Fine V paid $2.80 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Jl Apollitical Miss returned $7.40 to place and $3.40 to show. Pappacito was worth $2.40 to show.

Completing the field were Chimera, Ojd Shez Gon, Big Daddys Blue, Moonflash Winners-(DH), Hi Temt Gl-(DH), Cielo Crystal and Fancy One.

Delta Downs will conduct its final four-day race week of the season next Wednesday through Saturday nights. First post time each day will be at 6:15 pm. The Saturday card is the richest of the year. Tabbed as Louisiana Showcase Night, the program features eight stakes races highlighted by the $744,302 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG2).

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About Delta Downs
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. For more information about the season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.