Jackpot cast arriving from all over

Horses from both coasts have arrived at Delta Downs for Friday night's Grade 3, $1omillion Delta Jackpot. The 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds was expected to draw a full field of 10 horses when entries were taken on Tuesday.

Birdbirdistheword, who was fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity in his last start Oct. 7, was one of three horses flown into Louisiana on Monday. The horses arrived in New Orleans, then were vanned to Delta, which is about a 3 1/2-hour ride. Delta is located west of New Orleans in Vinton, La.

The flight originated in New York, where Xchanger, winner of the Grade 3 Sapling for trainer Mark Shuman, and Ice Man Cometh, a romping maiden winner at Aqueduct for trainer Rick Violette, boarded. The plane then went to Kentucky and picked up Birdbirdistheword.

Birdbirdistheword is a top contender following his effort in the Breeders' Futurity. In his final work for the Jackpot, he drilled five furlongs in a bullet 59.80 seconds Nov. 25.

"The work he put in at Churchill a couple of days ago was spectacular," said Ken McPeek, who trains Birdbirdistheword.

Robby Albarado has the mount. He guided Birdbirdistheword to victory in the $100,000 Juvenile at Louisiana Downs in September.

Kent Desormeaux, who won the inaugural Jackpot aboard Outta Here, will ride Freesgood in the race this year, said trainer Bill Currin. Freesgood, winner of the $125,000 California Cup Juvenile, was one of three horses who arrived from Southern California on Sunday, according to Chris Warren, director of racing for Delta. Also on Freesgood's flight were Malt Magic and Pirates Deputy, both trained by Bob Baffert.

Officer Rocket, winner of the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity, was to van from Arkansas to Delta on Tuesday, said Kathy Moore-Howard, racing manager for owner Frank Fletcher. The colt is trained by Bob Holthus and will be ridden by Tracy Hebert.

Go Poppa Fooze might go favored in the Jackpot based on his victory in the local prep, the $150,000 Jean Lafitte, where he earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure that is the highest in the potential field. He will ship in from north Louisiana on Wednesday or Thursday, said his trainer, Cole Norman.

Mistycal Light is already at Delta for the Jackpot, while Scatter the Tak is expected to ship in this week from Fair Grounds.