Birdbirdstheword Flies to Victory in $1 Million Delta Jackpot

Raymond H. Cottrell Sr.'s Birdbirdstheword overcame a troubled start and held off a late charge from Pirates Deputy for a three-quarter length victory in the $1 million Boyd Gaming's Delta Jackpot (gr. III) at Louisiana's Delta Downs on Friday, Dec. 1.

Go Poppa Fooze set the early pace while stalked by Malt Magic before the latter took the lead rounding the far turn in the 1 1/16-mile main track test before being overtaken by Birdbirdstheword and Pirates Deputy. The final time was 1:45.42.

Trained by Ken McPeek, the winner paid $12.60, $6.20, and $5.00. Pirates Deputy, the lukewarm 4-1 favorite, returned $4.20 and $4.00, and Xchanger finished third, paying $6.40.

A 2-year-old son of Pure Prize bred in Florida by Lucy Edwards and Randell Edwards, Birdbirdstheword was coming off a fourth-place finish in the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland on Oct. 7. The Delta Jackpot was the third win in five starts for the colt, who previously won the Harrah's Juvenile at Louisiana Downs. The colt was sold at the August 2005 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company sale for $32,000 and has now earned $702,100.

(Chart, Equibase)