Racing


Royal Quick Patriot Makes Off With The Fastest Time In The $281,007 Louisiana Laddie Futurity
Royal Quick Patriot, under jockey Donald Watson, sets the fastest qualifying time for the $281,007 Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2) on Saturday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography
Royal Quick Patriot Makes Off With The Fastest Time In The $281,007 Louisiana Laddie Futurity

VINTON, LA—APRIL 30, 2016—Delta Downs conducted 14 qualifying trials for this year’s $281,007 Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2) on Saturday night. Trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. saddled the fastest qualifier as well as four winners overall, each of whom made it to the lucrative final.

Roberts’ star pupil turned out to be Royal Quick Patriot, who stopped the timer at :16.911 seconds during his 330-yard effort in the 13th race of the program. The property of Douglas O. Traylor earned a speed index of 86 for the effort as he was piloted to victory by Donald Watson. The veteran jockey also had two other wins on the card.

Royal Quick Patriot was making his career debut in the trials after winning a non-pari-mutuel schooling race at Delta Downs on April 8. The tally on Saturday night was worth $9,000 to the winner as each of the trial heats carried a total purse of $15,000.

Royal Quick Patriot is a 2-year-old gelding by Jet Black Patriot out of the Royal quick Dash mare Holy Buckets. He was bred in Louisiana by Richard & Janelle Simon. The gray runner was purchased as a yearling at the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Yearling Sale in 2015 for $43,000.

Roberts also saddled Blue Courage to the second fastest time of :16.956 for owner Maxxiprime Enterprises, LLC. The Jess Louisiana Blue gelding was the first of two finalists bred by J.E. Jumonville, Jr. Out of the Stoli mare Faith And Courage, Blue Courage was a $20,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate. Donell Blake had the riding assignment.

Bankin On Bux got the third fastest time after finishing second to fastest qualifier Royal Quick Patriot in the 13th trial. Trainer Vann Haywood saddled the Zoomin For Bux gelding in his debut for owner David Eatman. Bernard and Nola Thornton bred the chestnut gelding from the First To Shine mare Shine On Morgan. Damian Martinez was aboard.

Dashin Bye was the only sire with multiple qualifers to the Laddie getting 5th fastest qualifier Geaux Dashin Bye and 9th qualifier Dash To Intrigue.

First crop sire Sizzlin Cartel sired 8th qualifier Lovin That Sizzle.

For the complete list of Louisiana Laddie Futurity(RG2) finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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.