Black Blood Wins The $40,000 Mid City Stakes In Slight Upset At Delta Downs

Black Blood, ridden by Gilbert Ortiz win the $40,000 Mid City Stakes by 1/2-length at Delta Downs Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–SEPTEMBER 3, 2022–Trainer Michael Zingelmann and jockey Gilbert Ortiz, who saddled Black Blood in the $40,000 Mid City Stakes, make their way to the winner’s circle again after just winning the previous stakes race at Delta Downs Saturday night. The 400-yard stakes race for 3-year-old and up Louisiana breds was run on a muddy track.

Black Blood and Ortiz speed down the raceway holding the lead wire-to-wire for a 1/2-length victory in :19.812 seconds clocking a 91 speed index. The duo started the race with 4-1 odds and the victory over Lifeinthefastlanes paid $12.00 on a $2.00 wager.

The winning connections of Black Blood accept the the $40,000 Mid City Stakes at Delta Downs on Saturday night.
© Coady Photography

Lifeinthefastlanes, under the guidance of Everardo Rodriguez, made a late rush from seventh to second place in :19.907 for an 89 speed index. The Jess Louisiana Bred filly defeated Hezaa Fast Boy, ridden by David Alvarez, by a neck paying $4.80 to show.

This was Black Blood’s second attempt at the Mid City Stakes and the second stakes win of the season, including the Develop A Plan Stakes (G3) earlier in July at Delta Downs. The 4-year-old gelding placed fourth in the Mid City Stakes in 2021.

Black Blood has also placed in other graded stakes races, including third place finishes in the LQHBA Breeder Derby (G3) and Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (G3) last year. With 9 career wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 18 starts, Black Blood has earned $191,088.

Bred by Erin Chrisman, Black Blood’s owner Rayne Knight bought him for $19,000 in the 2019 LQHBA Yearling Sale. His dam is multiple graded stakes winner Black Rosalita by Sweet First Down.

Runner-up Lifeinthefastlanes was conditioned by Kenneth Roberts, Sr for owner Paragon Farms. The 5-year-old mare has lit the board 17 out of 19 starts with 11 victories and $527,881 in career earnings. This was the second time to be runner up in the Mid City Stakes and she has won six stakes races, four of which were graded.

Breeders Wade and Kay Loup sold Lifeinthefastlanes  for $41,000 in the 2018 LQHBA Yearling Sale. Her dam is multiple black type winner and producer Pantherinthefastlane by Panther Mountain.

Conditioned by Jesus Marquez, Hezaa Fast Boy broke his multiple stakes win streak with a third place finish in the Mid City Stakes. The 5-year-old son of Heza Fast Dash has 5 career wins with $133,900 in the bank, including the Louisiana Classic Stakes (G2) and Vals Fortunes/Teddy Abrams Jr Stakes (G3) earlier this season.

Breeder Simmons Racing sold Hezaa Fast Boy for $50,000 to his current owner Rogelio Marques Jr in the 2018 LQHBA Yearling Sale. He is out of multiple graded stakes winner Brenda Beautiful by Dash For Cash.

Tee Zo, Tuckers Prize, Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr, Patriotic Trump, Caliente Operator and Dashing Jess Cuervo completed the field.

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Delta Downs kicked off its final week of American Quarter Horse racing for 2022 on Friday night with an eight-race program featuring the $30,0000 De Saix Stakes for 2-year-old competing at 330 yards. The Louisiana track will complete its Quarter Horse season with a special 10-race program on Saturday with first post time at 6:15 pm. The card will include six stakes races headed by the $525,420 Louisiana Quarter Horse Association Futurity.

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.