Premier Night highlights Delta Downs meet

Delta Downs will put the spotlight on Louisiana-breds during its meet, which opens Oct. 17 and runs for 84 dates through March 9. The track has announced plans to run 28 stakes worth a cumulative $2.2 million, with 18 of those races restricted to horses bred in Louisiana.

The Feb. 9 Louisiana Premier Night program of 10 stakes for Louisiana-breds – four of them starter stakes – will serve as the meet’s richest card. Purses that day will total $895,000. The card will be topped by the meet’s two richest races, the $150,000 Championship and the $125,000 Distaff.

Delta’s marquee races had been the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot and the Grade 3, $500,000 Delta Downs Princess, but those stakes were canceled for 2018 at the request of the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Delta officials said in May. At the time, Louisiana HBPA officials said they felt the funds would be best used in overnight purses.