Jeff and J’s Dream Rallies Late For Big Upset At Delta Downs On Closing Night

By Don Stevens —-

JEFF AND J’S DREAM RALLIES LATE FOR BIG
UPSET IN OWNERS’ APPRECIATION DAY STAKES
AT DELTA DOWNS ON CLOSING NIGHT

– VIEJA LUNA CAPTURES THE OWNERS’ APPRECIATION DAY DISTAFF STAKES –

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its 2016-17 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night with a 10-race program that included the final pair stakes races for the meet. The $50,000 Owners’ Appreciation Day Stakes featured an upset as Jeff and J’s Dream rallied late to win under jockey Juan Larrosa while Vieja Luna scored big in the $50,000 Owners’ Appreciation Day Distaff Stakes with jockey Roberto Morales in the saddle.

Jeff and J’s Dream used a strong late kick to get past millionaire and race favorite Rise Up in the final strides of the Owners’ Appreciation Day Stakes. The winning margin was one length as Great Minds finished third another half-length behind the runner-up. Jeff and J’s Dream covered the one-mile distance of the race in 1:39.23 over a fast track.

Jeff and J’s Dream is owned and conditioned by David C. Gomez, who found the race especially pleasing as it was his first ever win as a trainer. The victory marked the second win of Jeff and J’s Dream’s career and the $30,000 first-place prize raised his overall bankroll to $67,630.

Jeff and J’s Dream is a 4-year-old colt by Marino Marini, out of the Thunder Gulch mare Dream Day. He was bred in Louisiana by J. E. Nichols & Miller Thoroughbred Farm, Inc.

Sent to the gate at odds of 16-1 in a short field of just five runners, Jeff and J’s Dream paid $34.20 to win, $11 to place and $7.80 to show. Rise Up returned $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Great Minds was worth $2.10 to show.

The win by Vieja Luna in the Owners’ Appreciate Day Distaff marked her second straight stakes win of the meet as she also scored a victory in the Eldorado Stakes on January 20. Vieja Luna used her early speed to gain an advantage in the one mile race and never relinquished that lead. The Jose Camejo trainee reported home 1-1/4 lengths to the good of runner-up Mayla, while Lunar Gaze wound up another 6-1/4 lengths back in third. Vieja Luna’s time for the race was 1:38.55.

Owned by Juan Francisco Landaeta, Vieja Lune earned $30,000 for the win and now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $294,102 on five wins from 20 trips to the starting gate.

Vieja Luna is a 4-year-old filly by Street Hero, out of the Dayjur mare Amaday. She was bred in Kentucky by Fernandez-Robles Family Trust & Flying H Stables.

Vieja Luna paid $11.80 to win, $4 to place and $2.80 to show. Mayla, the race favorite, was worth $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Lunar Gaze returned $2.80 to show.

Delta Downs will now prepare for its 2017 American Quarter Horse season which beings on April 21 and runs through July 8 with live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night at 6:15 pm CT.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

Cover Photo: Jeff and J’s Dream; Coady Photography