Old South Derby Preview

Fastest qualifier Rios Dashing Spirit has drawn post 1 and is the 3-1 morning line favorite in Friday’s 330-yard, $110,800 Old South Derby at Delta Downs. Hugo Gutierrez will ride the Apollitical Spirit filly for trainer Paul Leal and breeder/owner BM AQ Racing LLC.

In the April 25 trials at the Louisiana track, the Texas-bred pulled off a 14-1 surprise when she broke well from post 3 and went on to win by a length with a time of :16.719. That was her first start of 2025 after a 2-year-old campaign that included one win and two seconds from eight starts. The filly earned $21,250 last year and qualified to the TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity (RG2) at Retama Park.

JJ Jessa Dynasty is the 4-1 second choice on the morning line after posting the second-fastest qualifying time with a trial win clocked in :16.743. The filly by JJ Jess An Meteorite will break from post 4 with Ricardo Hernandez Jr. up for trainer Jose Carrizales, who co-owns the Texas-bred with Jorge Alan Bazaldua Jr. The filly has four wins in her career from 12 starts and was a finalist in last year’s Evangeline Downs Futurity (G2). 

David Bustamante and Norman Williams’ The Legend Of Corona drew post 5 with Juan Garcia Jr. named to ride. The Coronas Leaving You colt won his trial in :16.766 and has a resume that includes a third-place finish in last year’s Firecracker Futurity (G2) at Delta Downs. 

Post time for the race is scheduled for 9:17 p.m. CDT.

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