Delta Downs to run 32 stakes at fall-winter meet
The Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot will again lead a 32-race, $4.6 million stakes schedule at the Vinton, La., track that opens Oct. 16. The 86-date meet will run through March 12.
The Jackpot, a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds, is the richest offering of the season and the main event on a program of eight stakes worth a total of $2.3 million on Nov. 21. The Jackpot also carries Kentucky Derby eligibility points through a system administered by Churchill Downs. The points scale for the top four finishers is 10-4-2-1. The Jackpot has produced 12 Kentucky Derby starters since 2003, according to a release from Delta.
The Jackpot card also will include the Grade 3, $400,000 Delta Downs Princess, a one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies. Last year, the Princess was won by eventual champion Take Charge Brandi. The first four finishers in the Princess will earn Kentucky Oaks eligibility points on a scale of 10-4-2-1.
Delta will put on its prep for the Jackpot, the $200,000 Jean Lafitte, on Oct. 24. The prep for the Princess, the $100,000 My Trusty Cat, is Oct. 23.
Other highlights of the stakes schedule released Tuesday include the $1 million Louisiana Premier Night program Feb. 6. It is topped by the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship and the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Distaff
Delta Downs fall-winter stakes schedule
| DATE | RACE | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Fri., Oct. 23 | My Trusty Cat | 2YO Fillies | 7F | $100,000 |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Jean Lafitte | 2YO Open | 1M | $200,000 |
| Fri., Oct. 30 | Magnolia | 3YO & UP F&M* | 1M | $100,000 |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | Gold Cup | 3YO & UP Open* | 1M | $100,000 |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Delta Downs Princess (G3) | 2YO Fillies | 1M | $400,000 |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) | 2YO Open | 1 1/16M | $1,000,000 |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Delta Mile | 3YO & UP Open | 1M | $250,000 |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Treasure Chest | 3YO & UP F&M | 1M | $200,000 |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Louisiana Legacy | 2YO C&G* | 1M | $150,000 |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Louisiana Jewel | 2YO Fillies* | 1M | $150,000 |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Orleans | 3YO Fillies** | 7F | $75,000 |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Sam's Town | 3YO Open** | 7F | $75,000 |
| Fri., Dec. 18 | Lookout | 3YO & UP F&M* | 7 1/2F | $65,000 |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | B-Connected | 3YO & UP Open* | 7 1/2F | $65,000 |
| Fri., Jan. 8 | By the Light | 3YO Fillies | 7F | $75,000 |
| Sat., Jan. 9 | Big Drama | 3YO Open | 7F | $75,000 |
| Fri., Jan. 15 | El Dorado | 4YO & UP F&M** | 1M | $70,000 |
| Sat., Jan. 16 | Fremont | 4YO & UP Open** | 1M | $70,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Starter | 4YO & UP Open* | 5F | $50,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Starter | 4YO & UP F&M* | 1M | $65,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Starter | 4YO & UP Open* | 1 1/16M | $65,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Starter | 4YO & UP F&M* | 5F | $50,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Matron | 4YO & UP F&M* | 5F | $100,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Sprint | 4YO & UP Open* | 5F | $100,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Starlet | 3YO Fillies* | 7F | $125,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Prince | 3YO Open* | 7F | $125,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Distaff | 4YO & UP F&M* | 1M | $150,000 |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Premiere Night Championship | 4YO & UP Open* | 1 1/16M | $200,000 |
| Fri., March 4 | Azalea | 3YO Fillies* | 7 1/2F | $100,000 |
| Sat., March 5 | Pelican | 3YO Open* | 7 1/2F | $100,000 |
| Fri., March 11 | Gold Coast | 4YO & UP F&M** | 1M | $75,000 |
| Sat., March 12 | Borgata | 4YO & UP Open** | 1M | $75,000 |
*Louisiana-breds
**Restricted