Departing Standout on Delta Downs Undercard

Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider's homebred Departing looms a standout in the $250,000 Delta Mile Stakes that tops the undercard for the Nov. 21 Delta Jackpot card at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel.



The 11-race program that will feature eight stakes races, including two graded stake and over $2.3 million in total purse money, is highlighted by the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III).



To be ridden by Colby Hernandez for trainer Al Stall Jr., Departing breaks from the inside post position under co-topweight of 123 pounds as he seeks to return to the winner's circle after finishing a game second to Geothermal as the favorite in the inaugural Lukas Classic Stakes Sept. 26 at Churchill Downs.



The 5-year-old gelded son of Claiborne stallion War Front   squeezed through a hole along the rail to win the Firecracker Stakes (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs June 27 for his fourth graded stakes win to go along with victories in the West Virginia Derby and Super Derby, both grade II, and Illinois Derby (gr. III) in 2013.



Also shouldering 123 is Cougar Ridge, a 5-year-old Johannesburg gelding whose two career stakes wins came in back-to-back victories in the Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Handicap and Remington Green Stakes at Remington Park this year. Trained by Randy Morse for owner Richard Bahde, Cougar Ridge will have the services of Robby Albarado as he seeks his fourth consecutive win and 11th overall victory as he makes his 32nd career start.



In the $200,000 Treasure Chest Stakes for older fillies and mares, Jerry Namy's Diva's Diamond is the 123-pound topweight by virtue of a record in which she has won or placed in 31 of 43 starts and has earned $699,608. The 6-year-old Illinois-bred daughter of Crafty Shaw this year has won the Wild Rose Stakes and Iowa Distaff, both at Prairie Meadows, and finished second in the grade I Apple Blossom Handicap.