Exaggerator Carries Delta Jackpot Flag

For Delta Downs director of racing Chris Warren, there's no beating some free, on-track publicity when it comes to promoting the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III).

The race picked up that extra attention this spring when 2015 winner Exaggerator became the first Delta Jackpot starter to take a classic as the Curlin   colt rallied to a 3 1/2-length score in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). That classic victory followed Exaggerator's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner-up finish.

"It gives the race a little more notoriety," Warren said. "This gives us more ammunition to promote the race. People can see that good horses come here and it can be a steppingstone for your 3-year-old year."

While the purse certainly is attractive, the Delta Jackpot has faced challenges since 2002 when Kent Desormeaux guided Outta Here to victory in the race's first edition, 13 years before capturing the race a second time with Exaggerator. The Delta Jackpot picked up early clout when Outta Here went on to finish seventh in the Derby and when Closing Argument, second in the 2004 Jackpot, ran second in the 2005 Derby.

Beyond the big purse, the race picked up added importance in 2006 when it received graded status. That graded status was especially important because Churchill Downs at that time used graded stakes earnings to determine the Kentucky Derby field. A Delta Jackpot win ensured the young horse a spot in the Derby, if the connections chose to go.

But in the 2007-12 Derby years just four Jackpot starters raced in the Louisville classic, and none hit the board. In 2013, Churchill dealt the Delta Jackpot a blow by instituting a Derby points system, with the Delta race awarding only 10 points to the winner and 4-2-1 to the next three spots.

The Jackpot also has faced calendar challenges. In 2010 the race was moved from early December to the Saturday before Thanksgiving, in part to avoid conflict with the CashCall Futurity (gr. I). In its current spot, Warren noted it's sometimes difficult to get juveniles to make the trip from Churchill because of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) in November. Even though that Churchill race offers less purse money, horsemen often prefer to stay home with their young horses.

While the Delta Jackpot has faced those challenges, it bothers Warren when critics say the quality of horses hasn't lived up to the purse. He notes 2012 winner Goldencents   went on to win the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and back-to-back editions of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I). Big Drama  , who won the 2008 Jackpot, earned champion sprinter honors in 2010.

Exaggerator finished fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Oct. 31 before winning the Delta Jackpot on Nov. 21. Warren notes that Exaggerator nearly did not make last year's race.

"I didn't think he was going to come because they couldn't find a way to get him here," Warren said. "It ended up that Keith's girlfriend vanned the horse all the way out here. Also with Keith and Kent both being from Louisiana, I think that helped a little bit."

With Exaggerator, campaigned in the Preakness by Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners, and Rocker O Ranch, winning the Baltimore classic, Warren is looking forward to selling connections on the 2016 Delta Jackpot.

"It gives us a little extra ego boost when we try to hustle horses for the race," Warren said. "People can see that horses who have come here have actually gone on to do something."

As big as the win was for the Delta Jackpot, Warren—who typically finds himself cheering for a Triple Crown—acknowledged his rooting allegiance for the Preakness was divided.

"I had mixed emotions. I was pulling for Nyquist because I wanted to see a Triple Crown. And I thought if he doesn't win, I hope Exaggerator because he ran at our track," Warren said. "I would have been happy for either one."