Delta Downs Quarter Horse Meet Kicks off Friday, April 22

Multiple stakes winner Scoopies Leaving You runs Friday at Delta Downs

Opening night will feature five trials for this year’s $71,075 Old South Derby.  AQHA Champion Stallion Open Me A Corona will defend his title Friday evening in the first stakes of the meet,  the $50,000 John Alleman Memorial (RG3) for Louisiana-breds.  Trained by Bobby Martinez, Open Me A Corona was undefeated in stakes company in 2015, with his connections considering retirement for the son of Coronas Leaving You.  Citing his soundness, they have deferred that option and he will headline the 350-yard stakes.  His rivals include multiple-stakes winner Scoopies Leaving You,  Heza Louisiana Dash and My Favorite Blue.  2014 LQHBA Sale Futurity winner, Louisiana Jambalaya is another contender. He will break from the rail under LQHBA Champion jockey John Hamilton.  The veteran rider underwent shoulder surgery at the end of 2015,  and was forced to miss the entire Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet.

Hamilton will seek to defend his leading rider title at Delta Downs. Other strong members of the jockey colony include Alfonso Lujan, David Alvarez, Gilbert Ortiz, Donald Watson and Lucas Constantin.  Kenneth Roberts, Sr. is one of many Louisiana conditioners to watch. Horses from the barns of  2015 leading trainer Michael Taylor, Martin Trejo, Carlos Saldivar, Kenneth Weeks, Kevin Broussard and Bobby Martinez will also figure prominently in the weeks to come.

Saturday’s card will include six trials for this year’s $88,935 Old South Futurity. The finals for the Old South Derby and Futurity will take place on May 13 and 14 respectively. The second stakes of the meet is set for Saturday, April 23, the $20,000 Delta Dash, a 250 yards, drew a field of  ten.

The 2016 live racing season runs through July 9 with live cards beginning at 6:15 pm (CT) Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For more information about the upcoming season visit   www.deltadownsracing.com,