– THE HENRY B. JOHNSON TRAINEE PREVAILS AS A HEAVY WAGERING FAVORITE –

 

 

 

Pelican Stakes
Delta Downs, 3-2,19, 7 furlongs
3YO Louisiana Breds, $70,000

JIMI’S A STAR
Star Guitar – Unusual Strike
Breeder: James Boyd
Owner: James A. Boyd
Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr.
Jockey: E. Nieves

2nd
Titanium Pledge
Songandaprayer-Titanium Jane
Breeder: Riceland Racing Stables LLC
Owner: Riceland Racing Stables LLC
Trainer: Enis Mouton
Jockey: J.A. Guerrero

3rd
Power Jet
Power Broker-Zada Rae
Breeder: Joseph Adcock
Owner: William T. Reed
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Jockey: R. Morales

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $70,000 Pelican Stakes on Saturday night and it was James A. Boyd’s Jimi’s a Star who prevailed under jockey Emanuel Nieves. The winner is trained by Henry B. Johnson, Jr.

 

Sent to the gate as an odds-on favorite, Jimi’s a Star was taken back early in the seven-furlong Pelican as Conniejoe set the early fractional times of 23.57 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.40 for the half. Midway up the backstretch Jimi’s a Star began a sustained rally that put him within three lengths of the lead with a furlong to go. In the stretch he rallied passed his competition and reported home ¾ of a length in front of Titanium Pledge who finished second and Power Jet, who was another neck behind in third.

 

Jimi’s a Star covered the distance of the Pelican in a time of 1:28.42 while running on a fast track.

 

The victory was the first stakes score of Jimi’s a Star’s career and earned $42,000 for the effort. His career bankroll now stands at $129,820 on three wins from 12 trips to the starting gate.

 

Jimi’s a Star is a 3-year-old gray or roan gelding by Star Guitar out of the Unusual Heat mare Unusual Strike. He was bred in Louisiana by his owner.

 

Fans who wagered on Jimi’s a Star collected $3 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Titanium Pledge was worth $10.20 to place and $4.20 to show. Power Jet paid $4.20 to show.

 

Delta Downs will begin another week of racing on Wednesday night with a 10-race program that begins at 5:25 pm. The Thursday program next week will feature 11 races and Friday and Saturday night’s action will have 12 races per night. There will be a special post time of 4:55 pm on both of those expanded cards.

 

For more information about the Delta Downs, including the upcoming Quarter Horse season that starts on April 19, go to the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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.