Corona Blue Estrella, ridden by Ricardo Hernandez Jr, wins the $50,000 Miss Polly Classic Stakes [G3] by 1 1/2-lengths on Friday night at Delta Downs.

© Hodges Photography

VINTON, LA–APRIL 26, 2024–11-1 longshot Corona Blue Estrella gets her first career stakes victory in the 400-yard $50,000 Miss Polly Classic Stakes [G3] Friday night at Delta Downs.

Jockey Ricardo Hernandez Jr guided the three-year-old filly to a gate-to-wire victory in :19.747 seconds. The speedster clocked a 97 speed index after crossing the wire 1 1/2-lengths ahead of Mr Crawfish with a 10 mph crosswind. The double digit upset win paid $24.60 on a $2.00 wager.

Trained by Kenneth Weeks, Corona Blue Estrella has lit the board six of eight starts with four wins and two seconds. The $30,000 winner’s purse from the Miss Polly Classic Stakes increases the daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue’s earnings to $78,220.

The winning connections of Corona Blue Estrella accept the $50,000 Miss Polly Classic Stakes [G3] trophy at Delta Downs on Friday. © Hodges Photography

Breeder Tom Hill Selman sold Corona Blue Estrella for $15,000 to her current owners Lester Colomb Jr and Raymond Loup in the 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale. She is out of the Corona Cartel mare Corona De Estrellas.

Mr Crawfish and Moonin Rusty who was favored to win were caught in a photo finish for place and show. Mr Crawfish, with Rene Hernedez in the pilot’s seat got the nod by a head in :19.976 seconds over the post-time favorite.

Trainer Brenda Foster saddled Mr Crawfish for owner Jose Guzman. The five-time winning son of Prospect To The Top has $145,968 in career earnings and won the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes [G2] in December of last year.

Mr Crawfish is a $6,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate. The five-year-old gelding was bred by Tjs Farms Inc out of Jls Crawfish Pie by The Crawfish.

Heavy favorite Moonin Rusty, ridden by Juan Garcia Jr, placed third after just missing second. The Dwayne Breaux trained gelding just came off a three-run win streak including the Louisiana Champions Day Derby [G3] and Opelousas Stakes [G3] at the end of last year.

Moonin Rusty has lit the board 11 of 12 starts with five career wins and $145,589 in the bank. The four-year-old son of Moonin The Eagle is bred and owned by Gene Cox and out of Princess Lil Bit by Coronas Leaving You.

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About Delta Downs
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Named "America’s Best Horse Racing Track" by readers of USA TODAY 10 Best, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space, and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center, and the FanDuel Sportsbook.

Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7; from Texas, take Exit 4.