Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel today announced its 2016-17 Thoroughbred stakes schedule. The track will offer a total of 32 stakes races during its 84-day season that runs from October 19, 2016 through March 11, 2017. The stakes schedule offers $4.6 million in total purse money.
The annual highlight of the season will come on Saturday, November 19 when the track hosts the 14th running of Jackpot Day featuring the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (Gr. 3) for 2-year-olds competing at 1-1/16 miles. Jackpot Day will include eight stakes races and total purse money of more than $2.3 million.
The $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot is expected to once again be part of Churchill Downs 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' series of races. The Jackpot race has produced a total of eight starters for the Kentucky Derby since 2012 when Churchill Downs first implemented its qualifying system that features points of 10-4-2-1 to the top four Jackpot finishers. Since its inception in 2003 the Jackpot has produced 14 starters for the Derby overall.
Other important races on Jackpot Day include the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess (Gr. 3) for 2-year-old fillies; the $250,000 Delta Mile for 3-year-olds and up; the $200,000 Treasure Chest for fillies and mares; the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy for Louisiana-bred freshmen colts and geldings; and the $150,000 Louisiana Jewel for 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies.
Delta Downs will also card a pair of important stakes races at the beginning of the season which could have a major impact on the Jackpot Day program. The winner of the $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes on October 22 will get an automatic berth into the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot and the winner of the $100,000 My Trusty Cat on October 21 will score a bid into the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess.
On Saturday, February 11 the track will host another edition of Louisiana Premier Night featuring 10 stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses. The highlight of the program will be the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles. The Louisiana Premier Night card will offer a total of $1,030,000 in purse money.
Delta Downs renamed one of its stakes races this year to honor an Eclipse Award winner. The $75,000 Take Charge Brandi Stakes, which will take place on Saturday, March 4, will replace the By The Light Stakes. Take Charge Brandi won the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess in 2014 before being honored with the Champion 2-year-old Filly title that year.
Post times each Wednesday through Saturday during the upcoming season will be at 5:40 pm Central Time.
For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track's website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page 'Delta Downs Racing'. The track's Twitter handle is @deltaracing.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.
