Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel announced June 11 changes to its annual Jackpot Day program scheduled this year for Saturday, Nov. 22 in Vinton, La. The track has raised the purse amounts on two of its eight stakes races and lowered the purse on one.
The Delta Mile and the Treasure Chest Stakes will each see increases. The Delta Mile purse will be raised to $250,000 from its previous $150,000 and the Treasure Chest will now be worth $200,000, which is an increase from $150,000 last year. The Delta Downs Princess (gr. III) will see a purse reduction from $500,000 to $400,000.
The track's signature race, the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III), will not see any change. Over the past two years the Delta Downs Jackpot has also been part of the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' series which awards qualifying points to the top four finishers of the race.
The four other stakes that make up Jackpot Day will not undergo any change in purse amounts. They include the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy, the $150,000 Louisiana Jewel, the $75,000 Sam's Town, and the $75,000 Orleans.
"Jackpot Day has developed into one of the most anticipated race days in the country each year," said Delta Downs general manager Steve Kuypers. "The new purse structure will make the day even better as it should attract even more top quality horses from throughout the country and provide race fans with highly competitive fields and tremendous wagering opportunities."
Last year's Jackpot Day program produced an all-time record handle of $5,044,286 for the track, which was a 16% increase year over year. The Jackpot Day Pick 4, which was anchored by the Jackpot, produced track-record handle of $254,495 in 2013.