Old South Derby winner San Lorenzo Trump will head three trials on Thursday for the $75,0000-added Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs.

© Hodges Photography

By StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA—JUNE 8, 2025—Delta Downs will host three 350-yard trials for the $75,000-added Firecracker Derby on Thursday, June 12, with a trio of key races set to determine the ten fastest qualifiers for the July 4 final.

The trials will be contested as Races 3, 4, and 5 on the evening program, which begins with a first post at 6:15 p.m. Central.

Among the top contenders is San Lorenzo Trump, the 8-5 morning line favorite in the third trial (Race 5). The son of leading sire Apollitical Jess, out of Legacys A Streakin by Streakin La Jolla, comes off a determined win in the Old South Derby on May 16 at Delta Downs.

Bred in Oklahoma by Donald J. Friesen and purchased for $110,000 at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, the sorrel colt has won three of nine career starts and earned $95,284 for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. He will be ridden by Leonardo Rodriguez for trainer Jeremy Derozin.

In the first trial (Race 3), a pair of well-accomplished runners trained by Leonel Hernandez and Miguel Castillo are set to square off.

Flyin Chilitos, installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite, makes his first start since a fifth-place finish in the Evangeline Downs Futurity (G2) last December. The Texas-bred APHA gelding by a leading second-crop sire, Chilitos out of Sensational Senator by Louisiana Senator, has four wins from 11 career outs and earnings of $99,587. Bred by Claudia Miranda, Flyin Chilitos will represent owner Omar Paredes and will be piloted by David Alvarez.

Breaking from the outside post in the same trial is Seis Chilitos, the 3-1 second choice. Bred by Richard Arizpe and sold through the 2023 TQHA Yearling Sale for $28,000, the filly is also by Chilitos, out of Seis Passes by Tres Seis.

A six-time winner in 11 starts, she has earned $110,929 and placed fourth in last year’s Evangeline Downs Futurity (G2). Owned by Jaime Cardenas, she is trained by Miguel Castillo and will be ridden by Nestor Duran. She enters off a third-place effort in the $54,000 John Buchanan Stakes in her only start this season at Sam Houston Race Park.

In the second trial (Race 4), Jj Jessa Dynasty looks to continue her strong 2025 campaign as the 7-5 favorite. The gray filly by Jj Jess An Meteorite, out of Jb Chic Dynasty by FDD Dynasty, is trained by Jose Carrizales and owned in partnership by Carrizales and Jorge Alan Bazaldua, Jr.

She was bred in Texas by J & J Stables LLC and has won four of 13 starts for earnings of $51,612. Her Delta Downs record is especially strong, with three wins from five appearances at the track. She exits a close fourth-place finish in the Old South Derby, where she was beaten less than a length by San Lorenzo Trump.

The Firecracker Derby trials are open to three-year-olds nominated as foals of 2022, with horses required to have remained eligible through a series of payments or a $5,000 late supplement. The fastest 10 times from the June 12 trials will advance to the $75,000-added final on July 4.

The Firecracker Derby is one of Delta Downs' premier summer events and a key feature of the Louisiana Quarter Horse racing calendar. Trial night promises a showcase of talent, with proven stakes competitors and emerging stars eyeing a coveted spot in the Independence Day final.

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All Delta Downs races can be seen on Q-Racing Video.