West Texas Derby Qualifiers

The field is set for the Grade 3, $127,100 final at Sunland Park.

Delight Interest - fastest qualifier for 2023 West Texas Derby

Delight Interest is the fastest qualifier for the West Texas Derby. PHOTO: Coady Photography

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February 5, 2023 | Racing , Racing | Racing , Racing

Delight Interest, gelded son of the Separatist stallion Seperate Interest, on Saturday posted the fastest qualifying time to the February 25, $127,100 West Texas Derby (G3) at Sunland Park.

Prepped by Josue Ponce for owner Triple Five, Delight Interest won the first of five trials by 2 1/2 lengths while covering 400 yards in :19.139. Manuel Gutierrez rode Delight Interest.

Delight Interest was bred in Oklahoma by George Mitchell, and he was making his first start since December 16, when he ran second in the Grade 3, 400-yard Evangeline Downs Futurity in Louisiana. A $30,000 purchase by Eduardo Leon at the 2021 Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City, the gelding is out of Volcoms Delight, a winning and stakes-placed Volcom mare. His second dam, the Dean Miracle mare Lethal Delight, won the 2009 Shue Fly Stakes (RG1) at Sunland Park.

Raced in four states, Delight Interest has won three of nine starts and has banked $82,134.

Click here for a complete list of finalists.

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