Delta Jackpot Just Right for Outta Here

California shipper Outta Here, with Kent Desormeaux riding, rallied to defeat local favorite Comic Truth by less than a length in the inaugural running of the rich $500,000 Delta Jackpot for 2-year-olds at Delta Downs Saturday night.

The one-mile Jackpot is, along with Belmont's Champagne the second richest 2-year-old stakes of the year, behind only the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Co-owned by William Currin and Al Eisman, who picked up a winner's share worth $300,000, and trained by Currin, the son of Dehere recorded a winning time was 1:37.77.

Shipping to Vinto, La., turned out to be the right decision for Currin, who nearly stayed in Southern California to take on Kafwain and Toccet in the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I).

Comic Truth shook off 81-1 pacesetter Corrizo Creek after fractions of :22.97, :46.95 and 1:11.41, and opened up a two-length advantage in the short Delta Downs stretch. But 9-5 favorite Outta Here, who came from mid-pack of the 10-horse field on the backstretch, continued a determined rally through the lane, pulling away near the wire. Cherokee's Boy, close to the lead early, held on for third, two lengths further behind.

Outta Here displayed a similar late-running style when he was third in the Generous Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Hollywood Park Nov. 30, his last start. He was also third as a maiden in the Best Pal (gr. III) on the dirt at Del Mar in August. Later, he beat maidens going the Jackpot's one-mile distance.

Outta Here paid $5.80, $3.80 and $2.60. Comic Truth, ridden by Jamie Theriot, returned $3.40 and $3. Cherokee's Boy paid $3.20.

(Chart, Equibase)