Delta Jackpot undercard stakes purses altered

Delta Downs in Vinton, La., has restructured the purses of three of the eight stakes that will make up its annual Jackpot Day program Nov. 22 in the biggest changes to its 32-race stakes schedule worth $4.6 million. The card will again be led by the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot for 2-year-olds at a1 1/16 miles , the richest race during the 88-date meet that opens Oct. 15.

The changes to the Jackpot card concern the Grade 3 Princess for 2-year-old fillies at a mile, and a pair of races for 3-year-olds and up, the Delta Mile and the Treasure Chest. Delta has reduced the purse of the Princess from $500,000 to $400,000, while boosting the value of the Delta Mile from $150,000 to $250,000. The Treasure Chest, which is for fillies and mares at a mile, has also received a bump in value, from $150,000 to $200,000.

The Jackpot card, which is again an afternoon program, is now worth $2.3 million, up from last year’s $2.25 million. The changes were made in part to attempt to draw additional quality horses to town for enhanced races like the Delta Mile. As for the Jackpot and Princess, both are traditional qualifying races for the respective Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in the system administered by Churchill Downs.

Preps for the Jackpot and Princess will be held in late October. The $100,000 My Trusty Cat for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs in Oct. 24, and the $200,000 Jean Lafitte for 2-year-olds at a mile is Oct. 25.

Other highlights of the Delta schedule include the $1 million Louisiana Premier Night program of six divisional stakes for Louisiana-breds, as well as four rich statebred starters. The card , led by the $200,000 Championship for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles, will be held on Feb. 7.