Delta Downs gets commission approval for daytime cards
The Louisiana Racing Commission on Monday voted to allow Delta Downs in Vinton, La., to have daytime racing this Friday and Saturday due to racetrack lighting issues and will readdress the topic at a meeting next week.
Delta is currently working with the lighting company and electricians to find solutions to the issue of shadows on the track, Steve Kuypers, vice president and general manager of Boyd Gaming’s racing properties in Louisiana, told the commission. He hopes a solution will be in place as early as next week.
Delta canceled following the third race Friday night after riders voted 19-2 against continuing with the card due to concerns with shadows on the turns, Kuypers said. The third race was the first run under the darkness of night as first post was 5:55 p.m. Central. Delta also canceled its night card for Saturday.
The track had to put in a new lighting system for the meet after Hurricane Laura destroyed its old one in August 2020. The new lights were in place at the end of September 2021 following two months of installation, Kuypers said. Delta opened Oct. 13. The track’s schedule this meet calls for daytime racing on Wednesdays and Thursdays and night racing on Fridays and Saturdays.
Kuypers told commissioners Delta wants to resume night racing on Fridays and Saturdays as soon as possible, provided the lighting system proves satisfactory. He also said the track plans to make up the lost races, which included a pair of $100,000 stakes for Louisiana-breds, the Magnolia and Gold Cup.
The commission, which conducted an emergency meeting Monday, has a regularly scheduled meeting next Tuesday. At that time, they said they will either extend daytime racing or give approvals to resume night racing.
Delta is racing Wednesday through Saturday this week, with first post of 12:55 p.m. Central.