Birdbirdistheword takes down $1M Jackpot

VINTON, La. - Birdbirdistheword swept to the lead four wide on the final turn and held off a bid by favorite Pirates Deputy for a three-quarter-length win in Friday nights Grade 3, $1 million Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs. It was another three lengths back to Xchanger in third.

The Delta Jackpot is the richest race in Louisiana, and was one of five stakes on a card worth a cumulative $1.5 million.

Birdbirdistheword ($12.80) raced well off the pace set by Go Poppa Fooze, who led through fractions of 22.10 seconds for the opening quarter and 45 seconds for a half-mile, while under pressure from Malt Magic.

Birdbirdistheword began to pick up horses down the backside, advanced on the final turn, and was strong through the stretch, covering the mile and a sixteenth over a track rated fast in 1:45.42.

He ran a big race, said Robby Albarado, who rode the winner for trainer Ken McPeek. I thought he held off that horse pretty well. I dont think hed let that horse get by him. Im impressed with him. Hes a nice colt.

McPeek said Birdbirdistheword will ship this week to Florida.

Hell be in Miami in a couple days, said McPeek.

Birdbirdistheword earned $600,000 for the win for owner Raymond Cottrell Sr. He has now won 3 of 5 starts and $702,100. The Delta Jackpot was the second stakes win for Birdbirdistheword, who captured the $100,000 Juvenile at Louisiana Downs

The remaining order of finish was Malt Magic in fourth, followed by Freesgood, Officer Rocket, Go Poppa Fooze, Scatter the Tak, Ice Man Cometh and Mystical Light.

Go Poppa Fooze, who won the prep for the Jackpot, the $150,000 Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs on Nov. 3, was disqualified from first and placed sixth after he was found to have exceeded the permitted level of bicarbonates in his system. The track announced the disqualification on Friday. The ruling has been appealed by trainer Cole Norman.

Miss Atlantic City upsets Princess

Miss Atlantic City overtook favorite Appealing Zophie in the stretch for a 2 1/4-length win in the $300,000 Delta Princess. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third to Stage Stop.

Miss Atlantic City ($12.60) sat in fourth early, as Appealing Zophie and Meadow Breeze dueled through fractions of 22.62 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.33 for a half-mile. Miss Atlantic City advanced on the turn and went on to cover the mile for 2-year-old fillies in 1:40.20.

Kent Desormeaux rode Miss Atlantic City for his brother, trainer Keith Desormeaux. It was the first stakes win together for the brothers, who compete on different circuits. Miss Atlantic City earned $180,000 for the win, which was her second from five career starts. She races for Peter Cantrell.

* Jonesboro ($6.20) led throughout for a 7 1/4-length win over High Strike Zone in the $100,000 Sams Town. Donnie Meche rode the winner for trainer Randy Morse.

* Baileys Affair ($73.40) rallied for a length and a half win over 1-2 favorite No Sleep in the $100,000 Treasure Chest. Rico Flores rode the winner for trainer Howard Scarberry.

* All Wired Up ($2.80) wired the field in the $50,000 Zydeco. Marlon St. Julien was aboard for trainer Brandon Marks.

* The $50,000 guaranteed pick four on races five through eight, which included all of the stakes except the Zydeco, paid $22,225.80. The winning numbers were 1-1-2-8.

* Handle on the 10-race card was $2,278,653.