Delta Jackpot Stakes facts for kids
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Delta Downs Vinton, Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2002 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄16 miles (8.5 Furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Two-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $1,000,000 |
The Delta Jackpot Stakes was an exciting Thoroughbred horse race held every year at Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana. It was a special race for two-year-old horses and was considered a "Grade III" event, meaning it was a very important race. Horses raced about 1 and 1/16 miles (which is 8.5 Furlongs) on a dirt track. The race took place in November each year, from 2002 until it ended in 2017.
Contents
History of the Delta Jackpot Stakes
The very first Delta Jackpot race happened in 2002. It was one mile long and had a prize money, called a "purse," of $500,000. The next year, in 2003, the race became longer, at 1 and 1/16 miles. The purse also grew to $1 million. This made it the second-richest race for two-year-old horses in North America. Only the Breeders' Cup Juvenile had more prize money.
Why the Race Ended
The Delta Jackpot Stakes was cancelled a few times. In 2005, the race could not happen because of Hurricane Rita. Later, in 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused another cancellation. After that, the people who managed Delta Downs decided to stop the race for good. They could not agree on how to continue the race in the future.
Important Moments
In 2006, the Delta Jackpot Stakes became a "graded race" for the first time. This means it was officially recognized as a top-level competition. It was sponsored by Boyd Gaming. The race was usually held on the same day as the Delta Princess Stakes, which was a similar race for two-year-old female horses, called fillies.
A very rare event happened in the 2007 race. Two horses, Z Humor and Turf War, finished at the exact same time! This is called a "dead heat." Because of the tie, both horses shared the $800,000 prize money.
Due to money problems in 2008 and 2009, the prize money for the race was lowered to $750,000. But by 2010, the purse was increased back to $1,000,000.
Delta Jackpot Records
Here are some of the fastest times and most wins in the Delta Jackpot Stakes:
Speed record:
- 1:44.71 – Rise Up (2013)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 2 – Gerard Melancon
- 2 – Kent Desormeaux
Most wins by a trainer:
- No trainer won this race more than once.
Most wins by an owner:
- No owner won this race more than once.
Winners of the Delta Jackpot
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Race Not Ran | ||||
| 2016 | Gunnevera | Javier Castellano | Antonio Sano | Peacock Racing | 1:45.15 |
| 2015 | Exaggerator | Kent Desormeaux | J. Keith Desormeaux | Big Chief Racing | 1:46.48 |
| 2014 | Ocho Ocho Ocho | Mike E. Smith | James M. Cassidy | DP Racing | 1:45.47 |
| 2013 | Rise Up | Gerard Melancon | Thomas Amoss | Van Doren, Paul and Andrena | 1:44.71 |
| 2012 | Goldencents | Kevin Krigger | Doug F. O'Neill | W.C. Racing/Kenney/RAP Racing | 1:44.89 |
| 2011 | Sabercat | Gerard Melancon | Steve Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | 1:46.62 |
| 2010 | Gourmet Dinner | Sebastian Madrid | Steve Standridge | Our Sugar Bear Stable | 1:45.23 |
| 2009 | Rule | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | WinStar Farm | 1:45.63 |
| 2008 | Big Drama | Eibar Coa | David Fawkes | Harold L. Queen | 1:44.72 |
| 2007 | Z Humor (DH) | Garrett Gomez | William I. Mott | Zayat Stables | 1:45.43 |
| 2007 | Turf War (DH) | Calvin Borel | Mark Casse | Woodford Racing LLC | 1:45.43 |
| 2006 | Birdbirdistheword | Robby Albarado | Kenneth McPeek | Raymond H. Cottrell, Sr. | 1:45.42 |
| 2005 | Race Not Ran | ||||
| 2004 | Texcess | Victor Espinoza | Paul Aguirre | Omar Aldabbagh/P. Aguirre | 1:48.20 |
| 2003 | Mr Jester | Roman Chapa | Steve Wren | Karen J. Biggs | 1:45.34 |
| 2002 | Outta Here | Kent Desormeaux | Bill Currin | B. Currin / Al Eisman | 1:37.77 |
DH – Dead Heat (This means two horses finished at the exact same time.)
See also
- Road to the Kentucky Derby
