Delta Jackpot Stakes facts for kids
| Grade III race | |
| 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 a special Thoroughbred horse race held every year at Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana. It ran from 2002 to 2017. This race was for young, two-year-old horses. It was considered a Grade III race, which means it was a very important and high-level competition. Horses raced about 1 and 1/16 miles (or 8.5 Furlongs) on a dirt track.
Contents
The Story of the Delta Jackpot
The very first Delta Jackpot race happened in 2002. Back then, horses ran one mile, and the prize money, called the "purse," was $500,000. The next year, in 2003, the race became a bit 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 Stopped
The Delta Jackpot Stakes was cancelled twice because of big storms. In 2005, Hurricane Rita caused the race to be called off. Later, in 2017, Hurricane Harvey led to another cancellation. After 2017, the people in charge at Delta Downs decided to stop the race for good. They couldn't agree on how to continue it in the future.
Important Moments
The Delta Jackpot Stakes became a "graded" race in 2006. This means it was officially recognized as a top-level competition. It was often held on the same day as the Delta Princess Stakes. That race was for two-year-old female horses, called fillies.
In 2007, something rare happened: the race ended in a tie! Two horses, Z Humor and Turf War, crossed the finish line at the exact same time. This is called a "dead heat." Because of the tie, both horses shared the $800,000 prize money.
For a couple of years, in 2008 and 2009, the prize money was lowered to $750,000. This was due to money problems in the economy. But by 2010, the purse was back up to $1 million.
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
| 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 a tie!)
See also
- Road to the Kentucky Derby
