Longshot Into The Grey Reedems Himself With First Stakes Win In The $75,000 Louisiana Classic Stakes
VINTON, LA–JULY 13, 2024–The leading rider Ubaldo Lunes and owner Rogelio Marquez Jr of the meet get another victory on Saturday at Delta Downs withInto The Grey after winning the $75,000 Louisiana Classic Stakes. Luna improves his wins to 47 while Marquez gets his 13th of the season and fourth leading owner title at Delta Downs.
After several attempts this season, Into The Grey finally gets a win on 13/1 odds by a length over Mr Crawfish and Corona Blue Estrella. The longshot's 440-yard victory was $28.60 to win on a $2.00. The son of Sir Runaway Dash made a solid rally to the wire, improving as he neared and clocked a 99 speed index in 21.798 seconds.
Trained by Jeremy Derozin, Into The Grey redeemed himself after placing second in last year's Louisiana Classic Stakes [G2]. He added $45,000 to his bankroll for tonight's win, increasing his career earnings to $169,590.
Derozin said, "We didn't really get a good start in the last race but worked on it and he came back tonight ready to do his job."
This season, the five-year-old gelding finished second in the Opelousas Stakes [G3], third in the Vals Fortune Stakes [G2], and was a finalist in the Miss Polly Classic Stakes [G3] for the second time in his career, finishing second in 2023.
Phatt Kat Ranch bred Into The Grey in Louisiana out of Sass That Chick by Chicka A Blazin.
Mr Crawfish, who went off at 13/1 odds, placed second with Ren Hernandez in the irons. Trained by Brenda Foster, the five-year-old gelding has competed in four stake races this season, including second in the Miss Polly Classic Stakes [G3], third in the Winners Circle Church Stakes, and sixth in the Vals Fortune Stakes [G2].
The five-time winning son of Prospect To The Top won the Louisiana Champions Day Classic [G2] last year and has earned $160,968 for his owner, Jose Guzman. Tjs Farm Inc. bred Mr Crawfish out of JLS Crawfish Pie by The Crawfish.
Corona Blue Estrella, piloted by Ricardo Hernadez, got a late rush for third, missing by a nose to Mr Crawfish. The three-year-old daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue broke her three-run win streak this season, including the Miss Polly Classic Stakes [G3], and had $102,620 in earnings.
Trainer Kenneth Weeks conditions Corona Blue Estrella for owners Lester Colomb Jr and Raymond Loup. Tom Hill Selman bred the bay filly out of Corona De Estrellas by Corona Cartel
Moonin Rusty, Lett It Happen, Masseto, One Sweet Rogue, Pk Pure Rogue and C The Power complete the order of finish. Five Bar Jess Cartel was scratched.
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About Delta Downs
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Named "America’s Best Horse Racing Track" by readers of USA TODAY 10 Best, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space, and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center, and the FanDuel Sportsbook. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7; from Texas, take Exit 4.