Delta Downs increases overnight purses
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLEDelta Downs has increased overnight purses about 15 percent, according to Chris Warren, director of racing. The new purse schedule was to go into effect with the Wednesday-night card.
Delta has a slots casino that is outperforming projections, Warren said. This comes despite the significant damage Hurricane Harvey inflicted on the key Texas markets that have long patronized the operation.
The storm made landfall in August and, on the recommendation of the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Delta canceled eight open-company stakes, led by the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot and the Grade 3, $500,000 Delta Downs Princess.
The cancellations also contributed to the purse increase at Delta.
Gladyousawme eyes Fair Grounds
Gladyousawme, a winner of all three of his starts including the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy at Delta Downs, could put his perfect record on the line later this month at Fair Grounds.
“Right now we’re looking at the Louisiana Futurity on Dec. 31,” said Brad Cox, who trains Gladyousawme for Klein Racing.
The six-furlong race for 2-year-olds has a $100,000 purse.
Gladyousawme debuted in a mile turf race Sept. 27 at Indiana, then took a first-level allowance at Delta on Oct. 28 before the Louisiana Legacy. The allowance was a seven-furlong race run around two turns, while Gladyousawme won at a mile in the Legacy.
“He’s versatile,” Cox said. “We’re going to try something different, shortening up to three-quarters on the dirt.
“He seems like a really honest horse, gives you what he has.”
Gladyousawme is by Due Date, a stakes winner sprinting on turf who also won sprinting on dirt.
◗ Evangeline Downs will close its meet Saturday night with a program worth $1.8 million, making the card the richest Quarter Horse program ever run in Louisiana, Warren said.
◗ John Soileau Sr., a prominent Quarter Horse breeder who raced champion Jls Mr Bigtime, died Saturday in Opelousas, La., according to LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home. Soileau was 81. He founded JLS Speed Horse Ranch.
