Rich Louisiana Showcase card closes out meet

The Renaissance Man meets the undefeated filly Jessa Louisiana Zoom in Saturday night’s $634,530 Lee Berwick Futurity, the highlight of a program of seven Quarter Horse stakes at Delta Downs. The Louisiana Showcase card, which also includes the $217,640 Delta Downs Derby and the $100,000 Louisiana Classic, closes out the meet in Vinton, La.

The Berwick is a restricted Grade 1 race for 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana and will be run over 350 yards. The Louisiana Classic, for statebreds at 440 yards, drew Jls Dashn and Zoomn, who is seeking his seventh consecutive win. Others rounding out the strongest field on the night include the millionaire Jls Mr Bigtime, defending Classic champ Fast Talkin Henry, and track record holder Jessjinging.

Key contenders

The Renaissance Man

* He set the fastest qualifying time for the Berwick when he won his 350-yard trial in 17.51 seconds June 20. The Renaissance Man proved a length best over One Fast Jet.

* The trial was The Renaissance Man’s second win from three career starts, all at Delta. In his lone loss, he was second by a head May 16 in the Louisiana Laddie Futurity.

* Kenneth Roberts, who has won the last three training titles at Delta, has given the mount to Patrick Watson.

* The Renaissance Man will break from the rail in the forest-green and gold colors of Chad Hart and Bobby D. Cox.

Jessa Louisiana Zoom

* She checked in as the third-fastest qualifier for the Berwick after winning her 350-yard trial in 17.53 seconds. She darted to a one-length win to remain undefeated in three career starts, all at Delta.

* Jessa Louisiana Zoom is the most accomplished member of the field as the winner of the $273,977 Louisiana Lassie Futurity on May 15. She defeated fillies in that race and faced males for the first time in her Berwick trial June 20.

* Danny Lavergne has the mount for trainer Frank Cavazos.