Mr. Z Heads Competitive Delta Jackpot Field

Zayat Stables' Mr. Z, coming off a fifth-place finish in the Nov. 1 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), heads a group of 12 plus two also-eligibles for the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III) to be run Nov. 22 at Delta Downs.

The winner of the Detla Jackpot will earn $600,000 and 10 points toward a starting spot in the gate for the 2015 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). 

Trained by Hall of Fame horseman D. Wayne Lukas, who also has Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) winner Take Charge Brandi in the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess Stakes (gr. III) on the same card, 2-year-old Mr. Z is in search of his second victory from six starts.

The Malibu Moon   colt has not won since breaking his maiden June 28 at Churchill Downs, but was runner-up in the Sanford Stakes (gr. III) in July, the Toyota Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. II) in August, and the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (gr. II) in October. His other start was a fifth in September in the Iroquois (gr. III). Paco Lopez rides from post 3 as part of an impost of 117 pounds; Mr. Z is favored on the morning line at 5-2.

Highweight in the field of juveniles going 1 1/16 miles is Conquest Stables' 4-1 third choice Conquest Tsunami, winner of the Oct. 26 Street Sense Stakes at Churchill for trainer Mark Casse. The Ontario-bred son of Stormy Atlantic   carries 122 pounds including jockey Shaun Bridgmohan from post 4.

Conquest Tsunami rebounded from his only loss in six starts, a fifth in the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, to take the one-mile Street Sense in front-running fashion by 2 3/4 lengths. Undefeated at Woodbine, he won both the Colin Stakes and Victoria Stakes there earlier this season.

Second choice at 7-2 on the morning line is Thoroughbred Champion Training Center's Curlin   colt Golden Actor, an Ignacio Roncancio trainee who took the Oct. 25 Jean Lafitte Stakes going a mile at Delta by 4 1/4 lengths after earning his first win at second asking on the front end Oct. 13 in a mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park West.

Another of interest is Reddam Racing's California shipper Wake Up Nick, a son of California stallion Cindago who streaked to five straight victories before missing the Nov. 1 Golden State Juvenile Stakes at Santa Anita Park by 1 1/4 closing lengths. The colt, who will start in the name of Leandro Mora, won the Barretts Juvenile Stakes, I'm Smokin Stakes, Graduation Stakes, and Santa Anita Juvenile Stakes earlier this year after breaking his maiden at first asking by 9 1/4 lengths against his fellow Cal-breds.

DP Racing's undefeated Ocho Ocho Ocho, to be ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, also comes in from California to stretch out for the first time. The 6-1 fourth choice on the morning line, this Street Sense   colt aired by 5 3/4 lengths in an off-the-turf edition of the Nov. 1 Juvenile Turf Sprint going 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita for trainer James Cassidy after breaking his maiden going 5 1/2 furlongs at the Arcadia oval Oct. 11.

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer sends in an undefeated runner as well—Mark DeDomenico's Prime Engine, a son of Northern Afleet   who has taken two in a row at Emerald Downs. The colt was a 5 1/2-length winner of the Sept. 28 Gottstein Futurity going 1 1/16 miles and at one point held an eight-length lead after taking over from pacesetter Trackattacker. Prime Engine drew the rail and will have Russell Baze in the irons.

Also enetered is P.R. Racing's Saratoga Heater, winner of the $150,000 Bertram Bongard for New York-breds on Sept. 21 at Belmont Park in his most recent outing for trainer Al Stall Jr. Joel Rosario comes in to ride the Temple City   colt.

The Jackpot and Princess are part of a pick four with a guaranteed pool of $200,000. The Jackpot goes with an approximate post time of 4:15 p.m. Central, preceded by the Princess at 3:43 p.m.