Delta Downs Jackpot to Run November 21
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Boyd Gaming Corporation announced May 7 that this year's $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds will be held at its Delta Downs Racetrack Nov. 21.
This year will mark the 13th anniversary of the Jackpot, which is contested at 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. The race is the second richest in the country for 2-year-olds and has become a springboard to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Since its inception, the race has produced a total of 12 starters, including six in the last three years, for the classic at Churchill Downs.
Last year's Jackpot, won by Ocho Ocho Ocho, was part of a 35-race series that made up the third edition of the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" point system. Ocho Ocho Ocho and the second- and third-place finishers Mr. Z and Far Right, respectively, all participated in the May 2 Kentucky Derby.
In 2012, Goldencents used his Jackpot victory to bankroll $600,000 and earn 10 points toward his eventual starting position in the Derby, before going on to win the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) twice. Goldencents recently retired to stud with total earnings of more than $3 million.
The 2014 Jackpot Day program featured eight stakes races and over $2.2 million in total purse money. The undercard was highlighted by the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies won by the D. Wayne Lukas trainee Take Charge Brandi, who would later be honored with the Eclipse Award for champion 2-year-old filly of 2014. Live and simulcast race fans poured a Jackpot day record $5,203,535 through the wagering windows in 2014, which resulted in a 3.15% increase in handle year-over-year.
"We are so proud of our Jackpot Day program and how much it has grown in recent years," said Steve Kuypers, the vice president and general manager of Delta Downs. "Jackpot Day offers some of the best quality and wagering opportunities in the sport and our team is eagerly looking forward to this year's event in November."
For the third year in a row Delta Downs will offer a guaranteed $200,000 Jackpot Day Pick 4 during its biggest day of the year. The wager will feature Jackpot, the Princess, and two other stakes races on the program.