Golden Yank tunes up for Delta Jackpot

Golden Yank remained undefeated and stamped himself as a prime contender for next month's Grade 3, $1 million Delta Jackpot with a smooth, 5 3/4-length win in Friday night's $150,000 Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs. The one-mile race for 2-year-olds is a prep for the Dec. 7 Jackpot.

Golden Yank ($5.60) stalked the pace in fourth Friday as Harlans Fortune and Carson's Legacy dueled through fractions of 22.58 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.90 for a half-mile. Golden Yank advanced, was angled out, then pulled away from the field, covering the distance in 1:40.29.

"He was very impressive," said Gerard Melancon, who rode the winner for trainer Gary Thomas. "He had a lot in the tank. He's an excellent horse. He does everything right."

Golden Yank won his maiden and the $100,000 MEC Mile at Remington Park before shipping to Delta for the Jean Lafitte. He earned $90,000 in the Lafitte for his owner and breeder, the Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust. Golden Yank is a son of Yankee Gentleman.

Gangbuster closed for second in the Jean Lafitte, finishing 9 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Take the Money.

Miss Missile romps in My Trusty Cat

Miss Missile opened up on the final turn of the $100,000 My Trusty Cat and went on to a 10 3/4-length win over Diamondaire in the seven-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies. Run around two turns, the stakes was a prep for the $300,000 Delta Princess on Dec. 7.

Miss Missile ($32.60) dueled with Purely Class through an opening quarter in 22.79 seconds and proceeded to lead the field through fractions of 47.42 for the half-mile mark and 1:13.02 for six furlongs. She covered the distance in 1:27.07.

Justin Shepherd rode the winner for Charlie Smith, who owns and trains Miss Missile. The win was her second in a stakes and fifth overall from 10 career starts.

Dreaming of Liz, the 4-5 favorite, tired after racing in early contention and finished seventh.