La: Delta Downs Unveils 2015-16 Stakes Schedule
Blood-Horse
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel will offer 32 stakes races, worth combined purses of $4.6 million, during its 86-day season that runs Oct. 16, 2015-March 12, 2016.
The highlight of the season will be Saturday, Nov. 21, Jackpot Day, anchored by the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III) for 2-year-olds competing at 1 1/16 miles. Jackpot Day comprises eight stakes races with total purse money of more than $2.3 million.
The Delta Downs Jackpot will again be part of Churchill Downs’ “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series of qualifying races leading up to the first jewel of the Triple Crown May 7, 2016. The Delta Downs Jackpot has produced a total of six Kentucky Derby starters since 2012 when Churchill first implemented its qualifying system that features points of 10-4-2-1 to the top four Jackpot finishers. Overall, the Delta Downs Jackpot has produced 12 Derby starters since 2003.
Other important races on Jackpot Day include the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies; the $250,000 Delta Mile for older horses; the $200,000 Treasure Chest for fillies and mares; the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings; and the $150,000 Louisiana Jewel for 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies.
Delta Downs will card a pair of important stakes races at the beginning of the season which could have a major impact on the only graded stakes events of the meet on Jackpot Day. The winner of the $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes on Oct. 24 will get an automatic berth into the Delta Downs Jackpot and the winner of the $100,000 My Trusty Cat on Oct. 23 will score a bid into the Delta Downs Princess.
On Saturday, Feb. 6 the track will host another edition of Louisiana Premier Night, featuring 10 stakes for Louisiana-breds. The highlight of the program will be the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1 1/16 miles. The Louisiana Premier Night card will offer a total of $1,030,000 in purse money.
