Delta Downs sustains damage from Hurricane Laura, Oct. 6 meet opener postponed

Delta Downs in Vinton, La., has postponed its Thoroughbred meet until further notice because of damage sustained in Hurricane Laura, a track official said Friday.

Delta was to open its season Oct. 6. The track is scheduled to race 84 dates through Feb. 27, 2021.

Hurricane Laura was a Category 4 storm when it made landfall Wednesday night near Cameron, La., which is about an hour from Delta.

Delta’s toteboard was a casualty of the storm, said Chris Warren, director of racing for the track. In addition, he said a starting gate was turned over and the track’s back fence line was torn down.

“There’s a multitude of things,” Warren said.

Warren said the barns did not appear to be significantly damaged, but added further review is needed to make a full assessment. There are downed power lines in the area, as well as various debris and items from the barns covering the stable grounds.

Delta completed its Quarter Horse meet last Saturday night. By Tuesday, the track called for mandatory evacuation of its property, which also features a casino and hotel. Warren said the town of Vinton was put under a mandatory evacuation order Tuesday.

Delta’s sister track, Evangeline Downs, is about two hours away in Opelousas, La. They canceled racing Wednesday and Thursday night as a precautionary measure and were scheduled to resume racing Friday night.

The Evangeline meet, which is for Thoroughbreds, ends Saturday night. The track will turn around and open its scheduled meet for Quarter Horses on Sept. 17.