Delta Downs Stakes Schedule Worth $4.6M

Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino has released its 2013-14 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, which includes 32 races and $4.6 million in total purse money.

 

"We are extremely excited about the upcoming season at Delta Downs," Steve Kuypers, vice president and general manager of Delta Downs, said in a July 16 release. "The tremendous support we receive from the horsemen each year along with the tireless work of our team members make Delta Downs racing something special."

 

The highlight of the upcoming 88-day season, which runs from Oct. 11-March 15, will come Nov. 23. On that Saturday the track will host eight stakes and offer $2.25 million in total purses including the 11th running of the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III). There will be a special post time of 1:15 p.m. CST for the Jackpot program.

 

Last year's Delta Downs Jackpot program produced the second-highest single-day pari-mutuel handle in track history of $4,359,362, only 1.57% less than 2011, when fans bet a record $4,434,099.

 

Other highlights of the new stakes schedule are a pair of prep races on the third weekend of the meet.

 

On Oct. 25 the $150,000 My Trusty Cat will serve as a prelude to the $500,000 Delta Downs Princess (gr. III), and on Oct. 26 the $200,000 Jean Lafitte will be a steppingstone to the Jackpot. The $500,000 Delta Downs Princess also takes place on the Delta Downs Jackpot program in November.

 

The richest nighttime program of the season will take place Feb. 1 with another edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The Saturday card features 10 stakes for Louisiana-bred horses and more than $1 million in purses. The highlight is the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1 1/16 miles.

 

Live racing will begin each night during the season at 5:45 p.m.