VINTON, LA—JULY 7, 2012—Brett Mennen's homebred Ronnie James picked up his third win four starts this season while taking the $327,715 Firecracker Futurity(G2) at Delta Downs.

Under jockey John Hamilton Ronnie James put in a solid rally to defeat Braggin Bout My Zoom by half-a-length. Interesting May surged late to finish a nose back in third.

> The Valiant Hero gelding completed the 350 yards in a quick :17.454 seconds, earning a 99 speed index and the picking up the winner's share of $163,858. His only loss this season was a second place effort to Shakem Little Corona in the June 16 trials.

Heath Taylor conditions the sorrel out of the Feature Mr Jess mare Jess A Lil Bit. His total earnings stand at $174,458.

Shazoom filly out of Jess Braggin, by Mr Jess Perry. Jeff Jerman had the riding assignment.

Harrah's Entertainment Futurity winner Interesting Man suffered his first loss in four starts, picking up $32,772 after a late surge. Javier Noel Contreras trains the Heza Fast Man gelding for Javier Ramirez. Bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox from the This Snow Is Royal mare Fit To Celebrate, he has earned $139,410.

Fastest qualifier Shaken Little Corona was fourth, followed by Jet Black Legend, Jess Blue Boy, Sassmaster, Axcess Denied, Wave Cover and Mr Einstein.

Runaway Wagon Runs Away with Firecracker Derby

Tommy Hays and Bobby J. Barnett's Runaway Wagon broke on top and finished strong to win the $144,065 Firecracker Derby on Saturday night at Delta Downs.

Under jockey David Alvarez, Runaway Wagon covered the 400 yards in :19.439 seconds, a 102 speed index, defeating Sizzlin Cartel by three-quarters. Surfin Waves finished third.

Bobby Martinez saddled the Pyc Paint Your Wagon gelding to his second win in as many starts this season. He came into the finals as the fastest qualifier from the June 15th trials. The $72,033 winner's purse swelled the lightly raced gelding's earnings to more than $79,000. Michelle Melwes bred Runaway Wagon in Kansas from the Dashin Bye mare Dashin Vike.

Last year's Firecracker Futurity winner Sizzlin Cartel tried to make it "Firecracker Double" in the derby but settled for second place after a late rush. Sizzlin Cartel earned $50,504 for owner/breeder J.E. Jumonville, Jr. The Corona For Me colt out of the Apollo (TB) mare In His Dreams, is trained by Kenneth Weeks and ridden by Jesse Chavis. He has earned more than $230,000.

Still winless after three starts this season, Surfin Waves picked up $14,407 for owner's Donald Aymond, David Bates, Jr. and Stephen Williams. Frank Cavazos trains the Ocean Runaway gelding out of Lady Dee Vee Em, by Chicks Beduino. Bred in Arkansas by Corner K Quarter Horses, LLC, he was ridden by Eddie Cox.

Triple Vodka, The Lizzard King, Fast Prize Mike, Gold Rush, Rc Straight Runaway and Jls Party Wagon completed the field.

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The Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund Stick Horse Benefit Race was conducted over 40 yards on Saturday evening at Delta Downs to raise funds for the charity.

Twelve Delta Downs jockeys participated in the race with Josh Dermon scoring a close victory over Ray Mayo. Steven Gillum finished third.

Racing beings its final week of American Quarter Horse racing for 2012 on Wednesday with another 10-race program that is set to begin at 6:45 p.m.

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.