Wild Train Fortune (#6), under jockey Rolando Cabrera gets up over Here Comes Candy in the $31,603 Q-Racing Delta Distaff Challenge on Saturday at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–AUGUST 19, 2023–Delta Downs hosted the $31,603 Distaff Challenge Stakes for fillies and mares competing at 400 yards on Saturday night.

The winner was Riley Blanchet and Rodney Verret’s Wild Train Fortune under jockey Rolando Cabrera. It was the second stakes win of the year for the Hector J. Sanchez trainee as she also scored a win in the Mardi Gras Oaks at Louisiana Downs in March.

Breaking from post position six in a field of eight, Wild Train Fortune chased race favorite Here Comes Candy for much of the race before surging late to win by a head over her game rival.

Black Rose Queen was no threat to the top pair finished another 1 ¾ lengths back in third. Wild Train Fortuned covered the distance in a time of 20.136, which equaled a speed index of 85.

The winning connections of Wild Train Fortune accept the Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge trophy. © Coady Phtography

Wild Train Fortune has now won four of 13 career starts. Her winner’s prize on Saturday night was $15,169, which raised her overall bankroll to $110,222.

Bred in Louisiana by Riley Blanchet, Wild Train Fortune is a 3-year-old bay filly by Freighttrain B, out of the Carters Cartel mare Cartels Fortune.

Wild Train Fortune also earned her starting spot in the October 27th Grade 1 $125,000-est. Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge Championship to be contested during the Bank of America Challenge Championship Night at Lone Star Park.

Trainer Zackary Stinebaugh saddled runner-up Here Comes Candy for owner Rachuan Suarez. Everardo Rodriguez rode the Jess Good Candy 4-year-old from the Red Storm Cat mare Candy Cartels Cat. The $6,478 second-place payday busted the graded stakes winning filly's earnings total to $120,947. PV Quarter Horse Farms, LLC is the breeder.

Third-place finisher Black Rose Queen earned $3,160 for her effort. Jose Espinosa trains the Jet Black Red Neck 3-year-old for owner Sergio Garza, Jr. J.R. Ramiez was aboard the black filly out of Classic Rocket Rose by A Classic Dash. C. Guerrero and A. Garcia is the breeder.

Sent to the gate at odds of 2-1, Wild Train Fortune paid $6 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Here Comes Candy returned $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Black Rose Queen was worth $9.60 to show.

Hallmarke, Sally Soul Smasher, Sweet jessie Mae Aw, Ima Fancy Keeper and Valiant Bling completed the field.

Delta Downs will race live again next Wednesday through Saturday, August 24-26. First post time each night is at 6:10 pm (CDT).

For additional information visit the track's website at deltadowns.boydgaming.com/racing.