Jean Lafitte lures shippers from far and wide

Horses who last raced in Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have all descended upon Delta Downs in Vinton, La., for Saturday night’s $200,000 Jean Lafitte.

Tip Tap Tapizar comes off a win in the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park, while Cohen’s Kat was a recent allowance winner at Parx. Line Judge is among a handful of entrants who have been racing at Canterbury Park, Hard to Be Good exits a Churchill Downs allowance, and Transfigured won a maiden special weight race last out at Charles Town.

Part of the appeal of the Jean Lafitte, a one-mile race for 2-year-olds, is that its winner gets first preference into the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot on Nov. 19. (The field for the meet’s richest race will be capped at 10.) The Jean Lafitte also gives horses a test drive over the six-furlong, sand-based track at Delta.

Jean Lafitte, Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Tip Tap Tapizar, by Tapizar

Last 3 Beyers: 68-53-65

◗ Tip Tap Tapizar has made his way to Delta for the Jean Lafitte for several reasons, according to trainer Steve Asmussen. One is that he has proven to be stakes quality, having placed in both the Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill and the Grade 2 Saratoga Special before taking the Sapling. Another is that owner Whispering Oaks Farm is based in nearby Lafayette, La.

“He’s a very nice 2-year-old,” Asmussen said.

◗ Tip Tap Tapizar moved to two turns for the first time in the $103,000 Sapling on Sept. 4. He was a neck winner as the favorite in the one-mile race and has been working at Churchill since then.

“It was good to see with the stretch-out he appreciated it,” Asmussen said. “Obviously, he’s kept very good company his whole life. We feel this is a very good spot for him.”

◗ Gerard Melancon has the mount from the rail.

Cohen’s Kat, by Einstein

Last 3 Beyers: 75-55-52

◗ He’s one of five runners in the eight-horse field who will be making their two-turn debut, and he gets pedigree support for the task as a son of Santa Anita Handicap winner Einstein.

◗ Cohen’s Kat is trained by the East Coast-based Kelly Breen, who has won five stakes at Delta through the years, including back-to-back runnings of the Jean Lafitte in 2011-12 with My Adonis and Bern Identity.

◗ Paco Lopez has the mount on Cohen’s Kat for George E. Hall.

Line Judge, by Spring At Last

Last 3 Beyers: 77-65-59

◗ He dominated an overnight stakes, the Careless Navigator, in his most recent start Aug. 27 at Canterbury, earning a 77 Beyer Speed Figure, the best number in this field.

◗ C.J. McMahon has the mount for Barry and Joni Butzow and trainer Joe Sharp.