Autumn Warrior pointing for Gold Cup at Delta Downs

Autumn Warrior, winner of the Prelude Stakes last month at Louisiana Downs, will likely make his next start in the $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta Downs, trainer Al Stall Jr. said Tuesday The one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up bred in Louisiana is Oct. 20.

The Gold Cup often springboards runners into the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds.

Autumn Warrior is an up-and-coming sort among Louisiana-breds. He burst onto the scene in May, when he romped by 14 1/2 lengths in a maiden special weight at Louisiana Downs. Autumn Warrior proceeded to win the $50,000 Lafayette in his next start, rolling by 6 3/4 lengths on June 23 at Evangeline Downs. He then made the move to both open company and two turns for the $60,000 Prelude, overcoming trouble to get up by a neck Aug. 4.

Autumn Warrior finished eighth last time out in the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby on Sept. 2. He emerged from the race in good order and this fall will be based at Fair Grounds, Stall said. The gelding is a son of Orb who races for his breeder, Autumn Hill Farms.

Delta opens its meet in October.