VINTON, LA—MAY 17, 2013—Carlos S. Lozano’s Political Option used a lightning fast break and a career best effort to score a huge win in Friday night’s featured $55,000 Delta 550 Championship at Delta Downs.

Under jockey Jesse Chavis Political Option covered the 550 yards in a track and stakes record time of 26.266, which earned him a whopping speed index of 109. The race was contested on track listed fast. The previous mark of :26.581 were established by Truley Dashin Bye May 12, 2012.

Trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. trains Political Option, who hit the finish line 1-3/4 lengths in front of Blue Louisiana Jolla who was second. Another Roberts trainee, Rocky Mountain Fly, wound up third another neck behind the runner-up.

The win by Political Option was the fifth of his 20-race career. The effort placed another $33,000 into his career bankroll which now stands at $244,880.

Political Option is a 4-year-old sorrel gelding by Jess Louisiana Blue, out of the Apollo mare In His Dreams. He was bred in Louisiana by J. E. Jumonville, Jr. and is a half-brother to Grade 2 Firecracker Futurity winner Sizzlin Cartel ($233,446).

Blue Louisiana Jolla, an 8-year-old son of Jess Louisiana Blue, held off a late rush to finish in front of Rocky Mountain Fly. Elroy Potts, Sr. trains the gelding for Elroy Potts, Jr. and Watson Land and Cattle. Raul Ramirez. Jr. rode the Potts homebred. Out of the Somekindadash mare Somekinda Rainey, Blue Louisiana Jolla boosted his earnings mark to $320,250 after picking up $11,000 for Friday night's effort.

Restricted graded winner Rocky Mountain Fly earned $6,050 for owner Douglas Traylor. Also trained by Roberts, the 4-year-old Panther Mountain was ridden by Donell Blake. S K T Farms, Inc. bred Rocky Mountain Fly from the Strawfly Special mare Dealafly. Making his first start since winning the Louisiana Champions Day Derby on December 8, 2012, the co-post-time favorite has earned $86,484.

T Boy C, Jessapatriot, Kokopelli Blues, Streakin World, Ajs Fast Dash, Worlds On High and Pagan Stone completed the field.

Delta Downs will conclude its fourth week of American Quarter Horse Racing on Saturday night with another 10-race program beginning with a special early post time of 6:15 p.m. Saturday’s feature races are the $77,345 Old South Futurity and the $44,807 Old South Derby.

For more information about the 2013 Quarter Horse season at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook by liking the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’ and on Twitter with the account @deltaracing.

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.