(Edited press release)
The entries were taken and the post positions drawn this morning for Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel’s richest program of the year, which will take place this Friday.
The big evening features two grade III stakes, six stakes overall, and more than $1.5 million in total purse money. The headliner will be Boyd Gaming’s Delta Jackpot Stakes (gr. III) at $750,000 for 2-year-olds, which will go as race 8 on an 11-race card. The 1 1/16-mile showdown drew a full field of 10 headed by 5-2 morning line favorite Terrain. The Albert Stall Jr. trainee will break from post position 2 under jockey Jamie Theriot.
Terrain most recently finished fourth to winner Midshipman in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.
Another horse coming out of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is West Side Bernie, who was installed as the second choice in the morning line at 3-1. He won the Kentucky Cup Juvenile (gr. III)) at Turfway Park before finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
West Side Bernie traveled to Delta Downs nearly two weeks ago with his trainer, Kelly Breen, who worked his charge four furlongs last Saturday night between races on the live program. West Side Bernie covered the distance in a rapid :47.73 over a fast track. Jockey Elvis Trujillo has been named to ride West Side Bernie, who breaks from post position 6.
This year’s Jean Lafitte Stakes winner at Delta Downs, Kick On, will start from post 1 in the Jackpot. The Joe Petalino trainee will once again have veteran rider Ken Tohill in the irons. Kick On will begin the night at 12-1 in the program.
Boyd Gaming’s Delta Princess Powered by Youbet.com Stakes (gr. III) at $500,000 for 2-year-old fillies also attracted a full field of 10. The mile showdown will feature a pair of runners that will grab most of the wagering attention.
C. S. Silk, who is trained by Dale Romans, is the morning line favorite at odds of 2-1. The winner of the Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (gr. III) will break from post 6 under jockey Robby Albarado, who will be seeking his first Princess score.
East Coast riding sensation Ramon Dominguez will be aboard the second choice in the morning line at 5-2, Livin Lovin. The Steve Klesaris trainee recently took the $100,000 Tempted Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct by a widening 4-1/4 lengths.
The winner of this year’s My Trusty Cat Stakes at Delta Downs, Southern Yankee, has been assigned morning line odds of 10-1 and will break from outside post 10 under local jockey Carlos Lozada. Southern Yankee is trained by Olivo Inirio.
In addition to the Jackpot and Princess, Delta Downs will also host four other stakes races on Friday. including the $100,000 Delta Mile going as race two; the $100,000 Treasure Chest, carded as race four; the $50,000 Sam’s Town, taking place in the fifth; and the $50,000 Orleans, which will be run between the graded activity as race seven.
Boyd’s Gaming’s Delta Princess Powered by Youbet.com Stakes (gr. III)
Race 6 Post 8:17 p.m.
Post Horse Weight Jockey
1) Just Jenda 119 Terry Thompson
2) Four Gifts 117 Shaun Bridgmohan
3) Garter Belt 117 Colby Hernandez
4) Livin Lovin 122 Ramon Dominguez
5) Smokin Again 119 Kirk LeBlanc
6) C. S. Silk 122 Robby Albarado
7) Phoenician Moon 119 Martin Escobar
8) Loveyou Everybody 117 Kent Desormeaux
9) Seacrettina 119 Ken Tohill
10) Southern Yankee 119 Carlos Lozada
Boyd Gaming’s Delta Jackpot Stakes (gr. III)
Race 8 Time 9:17 p.m.
Post Horse Weight Jockey
1) Kick On 119 Ken Tohill
2) Terrain 122 Jamie Theriot
3) Trinity Magic 119 Calvin Borel
4) Three Part Harmony 117 Robby Albarado
5) Retap 117 Shaun Bridgmohan
6) West Side Bernie 122 Elvis Trujillo
7) Big Drama 119 Eibar Coa
8) Skipadate 117 Gerard Melancon
9) Stimulus Plan 117 Kent Desormeaux
10) Valid Message 119 Curt Bourque
