$1 million Jackpot highlights Delta Downs stakes schedule

Delta Downs on Tuesday announced its 2015-16 Thoroughbred stakes schedule. The Vinton, Louisiana track will offer a total of 32 stakes races during its 86-day season that runs from October 16, 2015 through March 12, 2016. Total purse money of $4.6 million will be up for grabs throughout the stakes schedule.

The annual highlight of the season will come on Saturday, November 21 when the track hosts the 13^th running of Jackpot Day featuring the $1million Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. Jackpot Day will include eight stakes races and total purse money of more than $2.3 million.

The Jackpot will once again be part of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series of 35 races this year leading up to the big race on May 7, 2016. The Jackpot has produced six Kentucky Derby starters since 2012 when Churchill Downs first implemented its qualifying system that features points of 10-4-2-1 to the top four Jackpot finishers. Overall the Jackpot has produced 12 Kentucky Derby starters since 2003.

Other important races on Jackpot Day include the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess (G3) for 2-year-old fillies; the $250,000 Delta Mile for older horses; the $200,000 Treasure Chest for fillies and mares; the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy for Louisiana-bred freshmen colts and geldings; and the $150,000 Louisiana Jewel for 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies.

Delta Downs will also card a pair of important stakes races at the beginning of the season which could have a major impact on the only graded stakes events of the meet on Jackpot Day. The winner of the $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes on October 24 will get an automatic berth into the Delta Downs Jackpot and the winner of the $100,000 My Trusty Cat on October 23 will score a bid into the Delta Downs Princess.

On Saturday, February 6 the track will host another edition of Louisiana Premier Night featuring 10 stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses. The highlight of the program will be the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles. The Louisiana Premier Night card will offer a total of $1,030,000 in purse money.

Post times each Wednesday through Saturday during the upcoming season will be at 5:40 p.m. (CT).

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at deltadownsracing.com.