Boyd Gaming Corporation announced that this year's $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (Gr. III) for 2-year-olds will be held at its Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel on Saturday afternoon, November 18.
This year will mark the 15th anniversary of the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot, which is contested at 1-1/16 miles on a dirt surface. The race is the second richest in the country for 2-year-olds and has become a springboard to the Kentucky Derby. Since its inception the race has produced a total of 16 starters, including 10 over the last five years, for America's most historic race at Churchill Downs.
Last year's $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot, won by multiple graded stakes winner Gunnevera, was part of a 35-race series that made up the fifth edition of the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' point system. Following his victory at Delta Downs, Gunnevera gained additional qualifying points toward this year's Kentucky Derby with top three finishes in the Holy Bull Stakes (Gr. II) and Florida Derby (Gr. II) as well as a rousing win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gr. II), each contested at Gulfstream Park.
The 2016 Delta Downs Jackpot Day program featured eight stakes races and over $2.2 million in total purse money. The undercard was highlighted by the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess (Gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies, which produces qualifying points to horses on their way to the Kentucky Oaks (Gr. I). In 2014, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas won the Princess with eventual Eclipse Award winning filly Take Charge Brandi after Tepin won the race in 2013. Tepin would eventually amass over $4.4 million career earnings before being retired just a few weeks ago.
"The Jackpot Day program continues its rich tradition of attracting top quality race horses each year," said Steve Kuypers, Vice President and General Manager of Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel. "Not only do the best horses come to Vinton for the event, but many of racing's top jockeys, trainers and owners take part in a program as well. Our team will be ready to put on another spectacular show on November 18."
For the fifth consecutive year, Delta Downs will offer a guaranteed $200,000 Jackpot Day Pick 4 during its biggest day of racing. The wager will include four stakes races anchored by the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot and the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess. Overall there will be eight stakes races during the special 11-race afternoon program.
Horsemen, fans and media can follow developments for this year's $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot on the website www.deltadownsjackpot.com. Information about Delta Downs' 2017-18 Thoroughbred season can be found at the track's website www.deltadownsracing.com.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, features exciting fun, casino action, live horse racing and great 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.
