Page 169 - August 2016

Delta Downs Louisiana-Bred Derby-RG3
FIRST PRIZE DENIM
by Michael Compton
Agraded stakes winner last year as a juvenile, First Prize Denim has picked up right where he left off at age two in this, his sophomore season on the track.
Victorious in last year’s $283,382 LQHBA Laddie Futurity-RG2 at Delta Downs, First Prize Denim appears to have returned stronger than ever.
The gelding racked up another graded stakes win on July 9, taking the $244,430 Delta Downs Louisiana-Bred Derby-RG3 for owner Double H Racing Investment, LLC and trainer Martin Trejo.
First Prize Denim drifted in during his June 17 trial run, but surged late to win his his heat by a neck. He clocked in at :19.686 for the second fastest qualifying time under rider Manuel Gutierrez, who was riding him for the first time.
Also ridden by Manuel Gutierrez in the finals, First Prize Denim broke seventh from the outside post. The gelding raced in third position early and then rallied.
First Prize Denim was in second at the top of the stretch and surged toward the wire. He stormed down the outside of the racetrack to collar race favorite and fastest qualifier Jessa
Louisiana Zoom. First Prize Denim drew clear late to score his second stakes vic- tory by 1 1/4-lengths.
In winning for the fifth time in six career starts, First Prize Denim covered the 400 yards in :19.395, earning a career high 102 speed index.
The lofty $122,215
winner’s share of the Delta
Downs Louisiana-Bred
Derby purse raised his earnings to $289,256.
The only defeat of First Prize Denim’s promising young career has been a third- place finish in last year’s trials for the Lee Berwick Futurity.
Weetona Stanley bred the three-year-old sorrel gelding in Louisiana out of winner First Prize Diamond. She is the dam of 100% money earners and six winners from seven starters. The mare has also produced additional stakes winner PYC First Prize Mia as well as graded stakes-placed First Prize Jet. First Prize Denim is the top earner of the brood.
Multiple graded stakes winner Jessa Louisiana Zoom (Jess Louisiana Blue-Zoomin for Cash) broke on top and held the lead through most of the race, but drifted out late and finished a clear second for owner Bobby Cox and trainer Kenneth Roberts Sr. The black filly is a winner in five of nine starts and boasts a bankroll of $575,107.
Graded stakes-placed winner Jet Black Rogue (Jet Black Patriot-Miss Jess Rogue) broke slowly, but closed well with a late rush to secure third place honors under Joe
Badilla Jr. for owner/trainer Michael Taylor. Corona and Jewels (Coronas Leaving You-Martinis Jewel) was fourth, followed by
Telarosa (Jet Black Patriot-Presumptuous), Jess Blue Intriguing (Jess Louisiana Blue-Call Me Intriguing), Super Sonic Patriot (Jet Black Patriot-Totally Selfish TB), Coronas Statement (Mighty Corona-Tonyas Statement), Jet Black Zoomer (Jet Black Patriot-Dealazoom) and The Renaissance Man (Coronas Leaving You- Jewels Fortune).
Delta Downs $244,430 • 400 yards :19.395 • si 102
Special Task
Oak Tree Special
Easy Lady Oak
FIRST PRIZE DENIM, ’13-g.
Fly Jess Fly
First Prize Diamond
First Prize Dash
First Prize Denim & Manuel Gutierrez rally to win the $244,430 Delta Downs Derby by 1 1/4-lengths
SPEEDHORSE, August 2016 167
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography