Pelican Stakes
Delta Downs, 3-10-18, 6 1/2 furlongs, $80,000
Accredited Louisiana Bred, 3-year-olds

BITSY’S AFLEET
Northern Afleet–Streamin Bitsy
Breeder: Rose C. Hernandez & Earl Hernandez
Owner: Earl and Rose Hernandez
Trainer: Sam B. David, Jr.
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza

2nd
Grand Luwegee
El Corredor–Magical Mia
Breeder: Gerard Perron
Owner: Gerard Perron
Trainer: Gerard Perron
Jockey: Roberto Morales

3rd
Double Star
Star Guitar–Bond Queen
Breeder: Thomas Edward Vinci & Bill Mayfield
Owner: Four Star Racing
Trainer: Robert D. Schultz
Jockey: Jose Andres Guerrero

Delta Downs capped off its 2017-18 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night with a 12-race program that included the $80,000 Pelican Stakes was won by Earl and Rose Hernandez’s Bitzy’s Afleet.

 Bitsy’s Afleet’s effort in the Pelican Stakes came with a masterful ride by jockey Marcelino Pedroza, who sat well off a rapid early pace set by Top Money and Grand Luwegee. That pair carved out fractional times of 23.20 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.82 for the half before clicking off three-quarters in 1:12.97. That set things up perfectly for Bitsy’s Afleet who took command at the top of the homestretch and drew clear for a decisive 2-1/2 length victory over Grand Luwegee with Double Star finishing another 3-3/4 lengths back in third. The final time for the Sam B. David, Jr. trainee in the 6 ½-furlong race was 1:19.69 over a fast track.

 The win marked Bitsy’s Afleet’s third in four lifetime starts. He earned $48,000 for the effort and now has a career bankroll of $110,400.

 Bitsy’s Afleet is a 3-year-old dark bay or brown gelding by Northern Afleet, out of the Ford Every Stream mare Streamin Bitsy. He was bred in Louisiana by his owners.

 Sent to the gate at odds of 4-5, Bitsy’s Afleet paid $3.80 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Grand Luwegee was worth $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show. Double Star paid $4 for the show.

 

Delta Downs will now be dark until its 2018 American Quarter Horse Season gets underway on April 20. The 46-day meeting will run through July 7 with live racing conducted each Wednesday through Saturday night at 6:15 pm.

 

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

 

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.