Graded stakes winner Gold Gun Z has been set as the 9-5 morning line favorite in Saturday's $154,230 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby .

© Hodges Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA–JULY 8, 2025–A field of ten accredited Louisiana-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings will clash in Saturday night’s $154,230 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby at 400 yards.

The final for horses who qualified in trials run June 19 will headline the Saturday card, with Race 97 scheduled to go off at approximately 9:50 PM (CT). First post at Delta Downs is 6:15 PM.

Morning-line favorite Gold Gun Z (9-5) will break from post five under Noe Castaneda for Party Tyme Racing and trainer Jose R. Espinosa. Bred by Slash Z Quarter Horses, the Gold Heart Eagle V gelding out of CF Smokin Gun by Tres Seis was a $122,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate and comes into the final off a sharp trial win.

In that June 19 trial, he posted a 92 speed index when leading gate to wire to hold off fellow contender G Amtrak B by a neck in 19.996 for the 400 yards. He’s been consistent at Delta Downs with three wins and a third in four local starts and has banked over $237,000.

Gold Gun Z was runner-up in the Mardi Gras Derby (G2) earlier this year and he was fourth in the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) last season, highlighting his back class.

Second choice G Amtrak B (4-1) will leave from the outside 10-hole for owner Fausto G. Mendoza and trainer John E. Norwood Jr. The 3-year-old sorrel colt by world champion sire Freighttrain B, out of Jess Tempting To Fly by Tempting Dash, was bred by Gerard Hebert.

G Amtrak B, an $81,935 earner to date, was second best to Gold Gun Z in the trials and holds a solid local record with one win, one second, and two thirds from six tries at Delta. Leonardo Rodriguez retains the mount after the pair rallied strongly in the trial. He was also a finalist in the LQHBA Million Futurity(RG1) last season.

Third choice Dropping Dimes (5-1), who will start from post nine for owner Jaime Cardenas and trainer Miguel Castillo, could offer value. Bred by Ryan and Danielle Robicheaux, this gelded son of Apollitical Blood, out of Depositing Chex by Freighttrain B, is coming off a gritty trial win in 20.162 under Jorge Garcia.

Dropping Dimes is a multiple winner at Delta Downs and turned in back-to-back wins this spring, including an allowance victory with a sharp 92 speed index over 350 yards. Another Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) qualifier, the gelding has won four of eleven starts and could add to his $45,770 bankroll with a breakout effort here.

Saturday’s 400-yard final should be a quick dash with a competitive Louisiana-bred cast and will be part of an action-packed card at Delta Downs.

Fans can watch the race on Q-Racing Video.

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

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.