Racing


Gunsmoke B Takes The Delta Dash Stakes On Opening Night Of The 2019 Season
Gunsmoke B, under jockey Antonio Alberto, winning the $27,700 Delta Dash Stakes Friday night at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography
Gunsmoke B Takes The Delta Dash Stakes On Opening Night Of The 2019 Season

VINTON, LA—APRIL 19, 2019—Delta Downs kicked off its 2019 American Quarter Horse season on Friday night with a 10-race program that included the $27,700 Delta Dash Stakes and five qualifying trials for this year’s $74,115 Old South Derby (see related story).

The Delta Dash was won Rogelio Marquez, Jr.’s Gunsmoke B under jockey Antonio Alberto. The Alberto Solis trainee stopped the clock in a time of :13.178 seconds for 250 yards while beating runner-up Dm La Jolla by ½ length.

Heza Magic Coronas wound up third, another head behind the top pair. The winner’s time equaled a speed index of 86 and was accomplished over a fast track.

The win by Gunsmoke B marked the fifth of 24 career starts for the 6-year-old gray gelding. The winner’s prize of $18,000 raised his bankroll to $65,520.

The winning connections of Gunsmoke B accept the Delta Dash Stakes trophy on Friday night at Delta Downs.
© Coady Photography
Bred in Louisiana by leading breeder Bielau Oaks, Gunsmoke B is by champion and champion sire American Runaway, out of the multiple graded winner and grade 1 producing Toast To Dash mare Dashing Pana. He is a half-brother to Bank of America Challenge Championship(G1) winner Daytona B.

Runner-up Dm La Jolla, winner of last year's Delta Dash Stakes, picked up $4,000 for second. Porfirio Fierro conditions the 5-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Hiclass La Jolla for owner Sergio Jimenez. Donna Mushinski bred the gelding in Texas from the Prime Talent mare Dm Bella Mia. Ridden by jockey Rolando Cabrera, he has earned $102,229.

Jerry Deville, Jr.'s Heza Magic Coronas earned $3,300 for third. Ned Goutierrez III trains the Coronas Leading You gelding out of Dee Magic Patriot by Game Patriot. Everardo Rodriguez was aboard the Rusty Trahan bred 3-year-old.

Sent to the gate at odds of 4-1, Gunsmoke B paid $10.40 to win, $4.40 to place and $4.20 to show. Dm La Jolla was worth $6.80 to place and $4.20 to show. Heza Magic Coronas paid $8.60 to show.

Completing the Delta Dash field were Jets Fast Dash, Cosmo Lela, Hot Prize, Blue Eyed Cartel, Rock Solid Babe, Jess Adalida and Pieper.

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

For more information about the new season visit the track’s website at deltadownsracing.com.

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.