Racing


Watergirl B Makes A Big Splash In $690,295 Lee Berwick Futurity At Delta Downs
Watergirl B, under jockey Gilbert Ortiz, drives to victory in the restricted Grade 1 $690,295 Less Berwick Futurity Saturday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography
Watergirl B Makes A Big Splash In $690,295 Lee Berwick Futurity At Delta Downs

VINTON, LA—JULY 9, 2016—Delta Downs closed out its 2016 American Quarter Horse season on Saturday night with a 10-race program called Louisiana Showcase Night. The program featured eight stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses including the richest Quarter Horse race in track’s 43-year history, the $690,295 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) for 2-year-olds competing at 350 yards.

Watergirl B picked an opportune time to break her maiden. Vanessa Bartoo's Game Patriot filly got her first victory after four starts by defeating post-time favorite Louisiana Jewels by a half-length in the restricted Grade 1 $690,295 Less Berwick Futurity Saturday night at Delta Downs. Tellem Im Pumped finished a head back in the show spot.

Ridden by jockey Gilbert Ortiz Watergirl B recovered from an early bump to complete the 350 yards in :17.615 seconds and pocket the $345,147 winner's purse.

"She ran a tremendous race. Her last three outs she was still running a little green and in spurts. In the trials, she bumped with the one (Blue Eyed Cartel). When he met her, she laid her ears back and came back to him," Ortiz said following the Lee Berwick win. "Today she put it all together. Cynthia (Menard) has done s great job and I am lucky to ride for such good owners."

Trainer John Stinebaugh could not on hand for the win because of two-days of trials for the $1 million Rainbow Futurity(G1) at Ruidoso Downs of which he qualified Muddy Waters to the final and Pyc Disco to the $100,000 Rainbow Juvenile.

Winning owner Vanessa Bartoo accepts the RG1 Lee Berwick Futurity stakes trophy Saturday night at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography
"This filly has improved every time. I really thought she had a chance and felt if she had a good trip the rest of the field would be in for it," Stinebaugh said via phone Saturday night from New Mexico.

Watergirl B qualified with the ninth fastest time after she finished a nose off Blue Eyed Cartel in the June 18th trials. Bartoo purchased Watergirl B at the 2015 LQHBA Yearling Sale for $6,000 from Bielau Oaks. Bred by C. Edward Taylor, the sorrel filly, out of Thats Injunity by Invisible Injun, has compiled a (4) 1-2-1 record with $354,997 in the bank.

Bartoo, a New Mexico resident, is no stranger to big wins. She and Steinbaugh teamed in 2010 with win the Grade 1 All American Derby and Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby with Double Down Special. The gelding earning more than $1.2 million before his untimely while preparing for the Champion of Champions.

Harlow Stables LLC's Louisiana Jewels suffered her first defeat in the Lee Berwick Futurity final. The daughter of multiple stakes sire Jess Louisiana Blue came into the race as the fastest qualifier with three straight wins the included the RG2 $298,012 LQHBA Lassie Futurity last May. After breaking in at the start the filly put in late rush under jockey Joe Badilla, Jr. to get second.

Michael Taylor saddled the filly out of the First Down Jewel mare Jewels Fortune. She picked up $117,350 to push her earnings total to more than $284,000.

Jerry West bred the $42,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate.

Taylor also saddled third place finisher Tellem Im Pumped, a Stoli gelding owned by Ten For Ten LLC. Jim and Natalie Montgomery bred the $8,200 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate from the Teller Cartel mare Pump It Teller. He pocketed $69,029 for the effort. David Alvarez had the riding assignment.

Fans who backed Watergirl B at the wagering windows were rewarded handsomely as she returned $86.20 to win, $23.60 to place and $9 to show. Louisiana Jewels was worth $3.60 to place and $3.20 to show. Tellem Im Pumped paid $4.60 to show.

Shez The Bomb, First Prize Bourban, Swinginstar, Cats Last Dash, Blue Eyed Cartel, Tf Racee Runaway and Rdd Lajollanfastdasher completed the field.

Delta Downs is now dark until its 2016-17 Thoroughbred season gets underway on Wednesday, October 19.

For more information about the upcoming season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

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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.