Delta Downs: Firecracker Futurity features rematch between Separatist Firstdown, A Noble Jess Elie

Separatist Firstdown and A Noble Jess Elie, who finished 1-2 in one of the year’s earliest futurities for Quarter Horses, meet again Thursday night in the Grade 2, $265,775 Firecracker Futurity at Delta Downs. The 350-yard race goes with a field of 10.

Separatist Firstdown won the Grade 3 Harrah’s Futurity at Louisiana Downs on March 23, when he drove to a three-quarter length win over A Noble Jess Eli. Since the race, Separatist Firstdown has raced once, overcoming a slow start to finish second in his trial for the Firecracker at Delta on June 15.

A Noble Jess Elie has raced three times since, winning a trial for the Old South Futurity at Delta on April 27, then running second in the finale May 18. A Noble Jess Elie then qualified for the Firecracker when he was second as the 2-5 favorite in his trial, also June 15.