Delta Downs stakes schedule to be worth $4.37 million

The Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot on Nov. 23 and the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship on Feb. 1 will again anchor the richest cards offered during the Delta Downs meet that opens Oct. 11. The Vinton, La., track, which announced its 28-race, $4.37 million stakes schedule on Tuesday, will race 88 dates through March 15, 2014.

Purses are projected to average $245,000 a day this meet, said Chris Warren, director of racing operations for Delta.

The Delta Jackpot, a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds, was worth 10 points towards Kentucky Derby eligibility last year when won by Goldencents. The race is the focal point of Delta’s meet and one of eight stakes worth a cumulative $2.25 million on a special afternoon card Nov. 23. The Grade 3, $500,000 Delta Downs Princess for 2-year-old fillies at a mile is also on the Jackpot Day program, which will have a post of 1:15 p.m Central.

Delta’s prep races for the Jackpot and Princess open the meet’s stakes schedule. The $150,000 My Trusty Cat for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs is to be run Oct. 25, while the $200,000 Jean Lafitte for 2-year-olds at a mile is set for Oct. 26. The track will also cater to young talent the first weekend in January, when it runs the $75,000 By the Light for 3-year-old fillies Jan. 3, and the $75,000 Big Drama for 3-year-olds Jan. 4. Both races are at seven furlongs, which is a two-turn race on the six-furlong oval at Delta.

Louisiana Premier Night on Feb. 1 features six divisional stakes for Louisiana-breds, worth a cumulative $800,000. There are also four rich starter races on the card. The Championship is for 4-year-olds and up at a mile and a sixteenth, while the second richest offering on the program, the 150,000 Distaff, is for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, at a mile.

Stall applications are due Aug. 16.