Delta Downs: Gold Coast rivals Amazing Saint, Little Ms Protocol near-flawless locally

Amazing Saint and Little Ms Protocol bring exceptional records over the Delta Downs surface into Friday night’s $70,000 Gold Coast Stakes. Amazing Saint has never been beaten on the Vinton, La., oval in eight local starts, while Little Ms Protocol is 5 for 6.

They are the top contenders in the Gold Coast, a one-mile race restricted to fillies and mares who have made at least one start at Delta since Oct. 18. The race is the first of two stakes to be run over the closing week of the meet that ends Saturday night. Post time for the remaining cards this season has been moved up to 5:15 p.m. Central to accommodate expanded 12-race programs through Saturday.

Amazing Saint won an optional $30,000 claimer at Delta Downs in her last start Feb. 20. She was claimed out of that race by End Zone Athletics and trainer Karl Broberg. Chris Rosier has the mount on the a 6-year-old Amazing Saint, who has won four of her last five starts in a streak dating to Oct. 19.

Little Ms Protocol won the $150,000 Premier Night Distaff at Delta in her most recent out Feb. 2. She has compiled more than $300,000 in earnings in Vinton. Billy Patin has the mount for Coteau Grove Farms and trainer Pat Devereux Jr.

Others set to start include Snuggs and Kisses, who won the $72,000 Bayou Handicap at Fair Grounds in her most recent start Feb. 23.