BROBERG AND THORNTON DOMINATE OPENING DAY WITH FIVE WINS TOGETHER –

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs kicked off its 2020-21 Thoroughbred season on Tuesday with a nine-race program that featured a thrilling edition of the $60,000 B Connected Stakes as well as an amazing feat by the  popular jockey/trainer tandem of Tim Thornton and Karl Broberg.

 

The wagering favorite in the B Connected Stakes was Scarlettsblackjack, who left the gate at odds of 1-2, but it was 14-1 longshot Speaktomeoflove who won the 13^th running of the seven-furlong event for Louisiana-bred non-winners of a stakes race.

 

Speaktomeoflove’s victory came in dramatic fashion as the 3-year-old gelding came from just off the pace to get up by a head at the finish line over Jus Lively. Scarlettsblackjack finished another half-length behind the top pair in third.

 

Under jockey Joe Stokes, Speaktomeoflove got a perfect trip just behind Scarlettsblackjack, who set the fractional times of 23.50 seconds for the opening quarter mile, 47.76 for the half and 1:13.53 for three-quarters. Entering the homestretch Speaktomeoflove engaged Scarlettsblackjack and barely got in front before Jus Lively rallied stoutly and just missed in second. The winner covered the distance in a time of 1:27.25 over a fast track.

 

The win by Speaktomeoflove was his third straight and fourth from nine outs lifetime. He earned $36,000 for the victory and now has a career bankroll of $107,960.

 

Speaktomeoflove is a 3-year-old chestnut gelding by Run Away and Hide, out of the Proudest Romeo mare Awesome Truth. He was bred in Louisiana by his owner and trainer Benard Chatters.

 

Speaktomeoflove paid $30.20 to win, $12 to place and $5 to show. Jus Lively returned $8.40 to win and $4.80 to show. Scarlettsblackjack was worth $2.20 to show.

 

In other action, the team of trainer Karl Broberg and jockey Tim Thornton won five of the nine races on the opening day program. The pair teamed up to win the opener with End Zone ($3 to win), the second race with Snoose Goose ($4.80), the fifth with Flash of Mischief ($4.80), the sixth with Tiz One Fee ($6), and finally the seventh with Much Class ($10.40). Broberg has won each training title at Delta Downs since 2011 and Thornton is attempting to win his third riding title in a row at the Vinton, Louisiana oval.

 

Delta Downs will continue its opening week of racing on Wednesday with another nine-race card starting at 12:55 pm. The track will be dark on Thursday to observe Thanksgiving before closing out the week on Friday and Saturday, again with 12:55 pm first post times.

 

For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about the track through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

 

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.