Big Big Easy, Control Stake top field of juveniles for Jean Lafitte

Last year, the Jean Lafitte proved to be the key prep for the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot, as the winner, Rise Up, returned a month later to take the meet’s richest race. Saturday night’s $200,000 Jean Lafitte drew eight horses aspiring to pull the same double, including Churchill Downs allowance winner Big Big Easy and promising maiden winner Control Stake from the barn of Rise Up’s trainer, Tom Amoss.

The Jean Lafitte is for 2-year-olds at a mile. Its winner receives first preference into the Jackpot, which will be run Nov. 22. Part of the Jean Lafitte’s appeal is that it gives young horses a chance to become familiar with the six-furlong track and sandy surface at Delta.

Key contenders

Big Big Easy (Last 3 Beyers: 84-45-72)

* Both of his wins have come at a mile – in a maiden special weight at Indiana Grand in his second career start Aug. 19 and a first-level allowance at Churchill in his most recent out Sept. 26.

* The Beyer Speed Figure of 84 that Big Big Easy earned in the one-turn mile at Churchill ranks as the best career Beyer in the Jean Lafitte field.

* Big Big Easy has been flattered since that race, with the runner-up, Eagle, returning in his next start to win a first-level allowance at Keeneland. The horse earned a Beyer of 78.

* Big Big Easy is a half-brother to This Ones for Phil, a Grade 2 winner and earner of $784,760. Steve Asmussen trains the Scott and Evan Dilworth-owned Big Big Easy, who will break from post 2 under Richard Eramia.

Control Stake (Last 2 Beyers: 78-56)

* February foal will be making his two-turn debut after winning a maiden special weight Sept. 27 at Indiana in his second start. He covered five furlongs in a quick 56.80 seconds.

* Since the race, Control Stake has worked a bullet half-mile in 48.40 at Churchill.

* Control Stake is a half-brother to Flat Bold, a stakes winner of $436,275.

* Gerard Melancon, who last year rode Rise Up, will be aboard Control Stake.

* Amoss and Melancon win at better than a 40 percent rate together at Delta.

Golden Actor (Last 2 Beyers: 73-66)

* He is a supplement after a maiden special weight win Oct. 13 at Gulfstream Park West, and horses who last raced at the former Calder often have success at Delta.

* Golden Actor is a half-brother to Big Apple Daddy, a multiple stakes winner of $459,483.

Waha Wild (Last 2 Beyers: 50-55)

* He’s the lone stakes winner in the field and is a half-brother to a pair of route winners.