– $150,000 CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS LUCRATIVE CARD FOR LOUISIANA-BREDS
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs is gearing up for another rich race program on Saturday as the track hosts the 17th edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The 11-race program will feature 10 stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses worth nearly $1 million in total purse money. First post time is at 5:10 pm CST.
The featured race of the night will be the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles, which will be the ninth race on the program. This year’s Championship attracted a field of eight, which includes last year’s Louisiana Premier Night Prince winner Shang, from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmuseen. The top earner in the field is Underpressure, who has banked $603,382 for owner Mallory Greiner and trainer Chris Richard during his 34-race career.
Fans will be in for a treat when the Louisiana Premier Night Matron rolls around in the 10th race on the card. Brittlyn Stable, Inc.’s Minit to Stardom, who won the grade II Honorable Miss at Saratoga last summer and finished second in the grade II Gallant Bloom at Belmont Park, will attempt to capture the race after finishing as a runner-up in last year’s edition to Ours to Run. A win by the Jose Camejo trainee would put her over the $500,000 mark in career earnings.
In addition to the local horsemen taking part in Louisiana Premier Night there are also some nationally prominent trainers who will saddle horses on the program. They include Hall of Famer Steve Amussen, as well as W. Bret Calhoun, Tom Amoss and others.
Delta Downs will offer a $50,000 guaranteed all stakes Pick 4 wager on the Louisiana Premier Night program. The special Pick 4 will take place on race 6 – 9, which includes the evening’s richest race, the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship serving as the anchor leg.
Fans can also take part in a special free handicapping contest on Louisiana Premier Night which will offer a first-place prize of $700 and total cash prizes of $1,800 paid down to the top five finishers. The contest is free to enter but participants must be 21 years of age and a B Connected or Prime Rewards member to play. The contest will take place in the OTB on races 4 through 9 and the deadline to enter is post time for the fourth race. All winners must be present to claim their prize.
Listed below are all 10 Louisiana Premier Night stakes races for 2020 in program order.
Race # Purse Stakes Race Distance Age
1 $60,000 LAPN Ladies Starter 1 mile 4yo & up FM
2 $50,000 LAPN Bon Temps Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
3 $100,000 LAPN Prince 1 mile 3yo
4 $50,000 LAPN Ragin Cajun Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up
5 $125,000 LAPN Distaff 1 mile 4yo & up FM
6 $60,000 LAPN Gentlemen Starter 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
7 $100,000 LAPN Starlet 1 mile 3yo fillies
8 $100,000 LAPN Sprint 5 furlongs 4yo & up
9 $150,000 LAPN Championship 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
10 $100,000 LAPN Matron 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be awarding two $1,000 college scholarships via a drawing that will take place on Louisiana Premier Night. Entries for the drawing will be taken between 4 –5:10 pm in the promenade area. Winners will be announced after the fifth race. To qualify for the drawing, entrants must be enrolled, and in good standing, in a Louisiana school. The winners of the scholarships will be announced during the program.
For more information about Louisiana Premier Night and the remainder of Delta Downs’ current season, which runs through February 29, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.
