TOP HONORS WERE AWARDED ON CLOSING NIGHT, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
VINTON, LA. – The 2023-24 Thoroughbred season at Delta Downs wrapped up on Saturday and the leading horsemen awards were handed out during the nine-race program. Top honors for leading jockey, trainer and owner mirrored those of last year as Vicente Del Cid finished atop the rider standings; Karl Broberg retained his grip on the leading trainer crown; and End Zone Athletics, Inc. won another leading owner title.
Del Cid won his second consecutive title as leading rider with 116 wins from 438 mounts and $2,624,265 in mount earnings. He won with 26% of his mounts and his horses finished in the money a season high 58% of the time.
The Guatemala native’s first career win came at Delta Downs on October 21, 2021, and he finished second in the voting for the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2022. In addition, Del Cid also won the title of leading jockey at Boyd Gaming’s Evangeline Downs in 2022 and 2023
Following Del Cid in the jockey standings this season were Tim Thornton (83 wins), Juan Vargas (56), Joel Dominguez (56), Thomas Pompell (49), Jansen Melancon (44), Alex Birzer (26), Carlos Lozada (21), Joe Stokes (21), and Casey Fuselier (20).
Broberg continued his dominance at Delta Downs in 2023-24 by sending out 65 winners and totaling $1,353,610 in barn earnings to lead each category. It was the 13th straight time the Broberg barn has led the standings dating back to the 2011-12 season. During the 2018-19 season his horses set the current records for Thoroughbred trainers with 107 wins and earnings of $2,017,120.
Rounding out the list of leading trainers for the Delta Downs meeting were Allen Landry (40), Brett Brinkman (27), Eduardo Ramirez (26), Juan Larrosa (23), Sam Breaux (19), Jon Arnett (18), Kent Knudsen (16), Justin Evans (14), and Tom Amoss (14).
End Zone Athletics, Inc. saw 50 of their runners win and earn a total of $983,560 during the meeting to lead both categories for owners. It was the ninth consecutive title and 12th overall for End Zone, which includes trainer Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson.
Rounding out the top owners for the season were Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (Michele Rodriguez) (11), Norman Stables, LLC (Robert A. Norman) (11), Lothenbach Stables, Inc. (Jack Lothenbach) (11), Redwood QH Racing LLC (Jose Barrientos) (8), Mark N. Hibdon (7), Gerald L. Averett, Jr. (7), World War IV Racing (Warren McFatter & John Christmann) (7), L and G Racing Stables (Silvia & Genesis Castillo) (6), and Israel Flores Horses LLC (Israel Flores) (6).
Delta Downs now looks forward to its upcoming American Quarter Horse season which gets underway on April 26 and runs through July 13. The 46-day meeting will feature live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night with first post time set for 6:15 pm Central Time.
For more information about the Delta Downs Quarter Horse season, including specific race days, go to the track’s website at www.deltadowns.com/race. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.
Trainer Sarah Delany, who was kicked in the back of the neck by a horse last week, was released from a Houston, Texas, hospital Feb. 13. But her road to recovery is just beginning.
Delany was tending to a horse Feb. 7 at Delta Downs Racetrack when the accident happened.
“I really don’t know what I would do without all my friends and all the people that have reached out to me and my husband (Benny Martinez). … I’m so blessed,” Delany said via text shortly after being discharged.
Louisiana-based trainer Sarah Delany is recovering in a Houston, Texas, hospital after being kicked in the neck by a horse Feb. 7 at Delta Downs Racetrack.
Delany, who trains alongside her husband Benny Martinez, was flown from a hospital in Lake Charles, La., to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston. She underwent spinal fusion surgery and is expected to face a lengthy recovery.
Friend and horse owner Brian Poppenberg said he spoke with Delany and that she has feeling and movement in all extremities.
Delany conveyed to her husband he didn’t need to rush to Houston as her family resides in the area. After tending to the horses, Martinez made his way to Texas Feb. 8.
In a text message from Delany’s phone, her family said the trainer “needs prayers”.
Poppenberg said he wasn’t sure how the accident happened, but noted that Delany and her husband are a “two-man show with maybe two or three grooms.”
A GoFundMe has been established to help with medical expenses. As of Thursday afternoon, more than $5,000 toward a goal of $100,000 has been raised. The GoFundMe can be found here.
The Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association will also provide aid through benefits that Delany has as a member but also via a contribution that is yet to be determined by the HBPA’s medical benefit board of trustees.
Louisiana HBPA executive director Ed Fenasci said that in addition to the medical trust, the organization will undertake fundraising efforts to help.
Poppenberg is part of a group of Delany’s friends who launched the GoFundMe and spread the word of her situation.
“To get visibility, to get other trainers to donate, to get the sales companies, to get people like (Mike) Repole or Spendthrift or whoever else out there will look at this as one of those things where if it was something that happened to a Brad Cox or Joe Sharp or Neil Pessin, or somebody like that, the industry would rally around because they’re well-known names,” said Poppenberg of the GoFundMe. “They’re big-time players and the small outfits don’t get that visibility and I am going to do everything in my power to make this as visible as possible.”
He added, “When Benny and Sarah have claimed horses in the past, let’s say they got from another trainer that after they claimed we’re not really racing fit, they would immediately retire (the horse) and then send them to Nicole (Snyder, who set up the GoFundMe). … That’s what I’ve always loved and respected about them.”
It is unknown at this time what will happen to the horses that Delany trains, but Poppenberg anticipates they will be moved to other trainers soon.
Delany has a career record of 280-277-224 from 1,941 starts and has earned more than $4,605,206. Her winningest trainee is Queeten, who earned $225,385 under her care.
Touchuponastar wins the Louisiana Premier Championship at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted its richest program of the season on Saturday evening as the 21st edition of Louisiana Premier Night took center stage. The 11-race program featured 10 stakes races and over $900,000 in total purse money for Louisiana-bred horses.
The featured race on the program was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship and it was won for the second straight year by Set Hut, LLC (Jake Delhomme)’s Touchuponastar under jockey Tim Thornton. The Jeff Delhomme trainee defeated five rivals in the 1 1/16-mile affair over a muddy sealed racetrack. Touchuponastar is now five-for-five at Delta Downs and has won three stakes races this season.
After breaking sharply from post position three, Touchuponastar went to the lead and dictated the pace throughout, covering the opening quarter mile in 24.35 seconds and the half mile in 49.61. He hit the ¾ mile timer in 1:14.08 and had yet to be asked for his best run by Thornton. In the upper-stretch he drew clear from Play Mo, who had been chasing the leader since the start and wound up second. The winning margin was 6-3/4 lengths on the wire. Wise Verdict rounded out the top three finishers another 1-1/4 lengths behind the runner-up. Touchuponastar covered the distance in a time of 1:45.03.
“This horse is all class; I’m thankful to be on him”, Thornton said in the winner’s circle. “He makes it look easy. He just keeps getting better and better and that’s what makes him so special.”
Overall, Touchuponastar has won 11 of his 14 career starts. He earned $90,000 on Saturday night which raised his lifetime bankroll to $708,100.
“We are blessed to have him,” said owner Jake Delhomme after the race. “There was no pace in the race so Timmy just loped him along. This horse takes his racetrack with him, but he really likes Delta Downs.”
Bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is a 5-year-old bay gelding by all-time Louisiana-bred earner Star Guitar. He is out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic. Touchuponastar was sold for just $15,000 in Texas as a yearling in 2020.
Fans made Touchuponastar the lowest of favorites at odds of 1-9. He paid $2.10 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Play Mo returned $4.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Wise Verdict was worth $3 to show.
All eyes were on Louisiana millionaire and 1-9 wagering favorite Free Like a Girl in the $125,000 Distaff but 23-1 longshot Wholelottamo had other ideas.
The race unfolded as it appeared it would on paper with Free Like a Girl stalking the early pace set by Vale Male, who covered the opening quarter mile in 23.34 seconds and the half mile in 47.91. As the field of eight fillies and mares entered the second turn of the one-mile affair, Free Like a Girl under jockey Vicente Del Cid used a quick turn of foot to go by the leader and open a four-length lead at the top of the lane after going three quarters of a mile in 1:13.27.
Another win for Free Like a Girl looked to be in the cards before Wholelottamo and jockey C. J. McMahon launched a furious rally from far behind to run down the accomplished mare and win by ¾ of a length at the wire. Thetruthisthetruth finished another 5-3/4 lengths behind the runner-up. The final time for Wholelottamo was 1:41.20.
The win by Wholelottamo was the sixth of her 28-race career. She earned $75,000 for her connections of owner Thompson Racing LLC (Stephen Thompson) and trainer Jayde Gelner. Overall, she has taken home $383,865 during her career.
Bred in Louisiana by Cloyce C. Clark, Jr., Wholelottamo is a 5-year-old mare by Mo Tom, out of the A. P. Jet mare Jet’s Tradition. She was purchased as a yearling for $17,000 in 2020.
Wholelottamo paid $48.20 to win, $6.20 to place and $3.60 to show. Free Like a Girl was worth $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Thetruthisthetruth returned $3.20 to show.
The Mark Casse trainee Bron and Brow ($3.40) returned to Delta Downs and defended his title in the $100,000 Sprint this year under jockey Reylu Gutierrez. The Gary Barber-owned gelding used a dazzling late kick to slip through at the rail late and win the five-furlong dash going away. It was the seventh win from 17 career starts for Bron and Brow.
Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Hume Wornall, Bron and Brow is a 5-year-old gelding by Gormley, out of the Changeintheweather mare Changing Vista. He was a $200,000 purchase as a 2-year-old in 2021.
TAV Enterprises, LLC’s El Dinero ($6) used a strong late kick to get by Good and Stout and win the $100,000 Prince on Saturday under jockey Juan Vargas. The Patrick Devereux, Jr. trainee has now won three stakes races during his seven-race career. The dark bay or brown runner broke his maiden last August in the D. S. ‘Shine’ Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs.
Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Hume Wornall, El Dinero is a 3-year-old gelding by El Deal, out of the Forestry mare Money for Makeup. He was purchased for $36,000 as a 2-year-old in 2023.
Longshot Lightofmaine ($34) held off a late charge by Magnolia Avenue to capture this year’s $100,000 Starlet under jockey Jansen Melancon. The W. Bret Calhoun trainee has now won three of six career starts for owners Maury Harrington and Christopher Harrington. The Starlet was her first stakes tally.
Bred in Louisiana by Baronne Farms LLC, Lightofmaine is a 3-year-old filly by Tapwrit, out of the Deputy Minister mare Pontiana. She was purchased for $45,000 at the Keeneland September Sale in 2022.
Charlie T ($17.80), under jockey Carlos Lozada, proved best in the $100,000 Matron on Louisiana Premier Night. The Lee M. Thomas trainee held off several challengers in the five-furlong test and reported home ¾ of a length in front of runner-up Blessed Assurance. It was the seventh win for the homebred and she earned $60,000 for the effort.
Charlie T is a 5-year-old mare by My Pal Charlie, out of the Roger That mare That Real World. She was bred in Louisiana by her owner Elite Thoroughbred Racing LLC (Michelle Rodriguez).
Muchmorethanready ($3) was an easy winner in this year’s $60,000 Ladies Starter under jockey Juan Vargas. The Juan Larrosa trainee came from far behind to win by 9-¾ lengths going away for owner Laurence Jones and Evans Thoroughbred Racing, LLC. The win was her fifth from 16 career starts and her fourth in the last five trips to the starting gate.
Bred in Louisiana by T & G Farm of KY LLC, Muchmorethanready is a 4-year-old filly by Tom’s Ready, out of the Street Sense mare Astarte. She was originally sold for $20,000 at the Keeneland September sale in 2021 and was claimed by her current connections for $5,000 in November at Delta Downs.
Heza Pickle ($16.40) was victorious in the $60,000 Gentlemen Starter under jockey Corey Lanerie. The property of Terrell Jarrett, Jr. and Lara Racing Stables, LLC (Jorge Lara) used a strong late kick to gain his fifth career win from 20 overall starts. The Jorge Lara trainee was claimed for $7,500 at Delta Downs earlier this season.
Bred in Louisiana by Gerald L. Averett, Jr., Heza Pickle is a 5-year-old gelding by Yellow Meadow, out of the Planet Earth mare I Love Pickles.
The $50,000 Bon Temps Starter was won by Larry J. Romero’s Myfriendsawinner ($7) under jockey Vicente Del Cid. The Jonas B. Gibson trainee won the five-furlong sprint by three lengths over Commercial Flash. It was her eighth win from 17 career starts.
Bred in Louisiana by Penny Scarberry, Myfriendsawinner is a 6-year-old mare by Silent Pleasure, out of the Musket Man mare My Girl Max.
The closest finish of the night came in the nightcap, the $50,000 Ragin Cajun Starter when Sharp Charlie ($7.20) nosed out Double Barrel Man in a dramatic finish of the five-furlong sprint. Sharp Charlie was ridden by Joel Dominguez, who got a leg up from trainer Jorge Lara. The winner is owned by Terrell Jarrett, Jr. and Lara Racing Stable.
Sharp Charlie is a 6-year-old gelding by My Pal Charlie, out of the Rodeo mare Chic Jolie. He was bred in Louisiana by Michelle Rodriguez.
Delta Downs has three weeks left in its 2023-24 season, which wraps up on February 24. First post time each night for the remainder of the season is at 5:15 pm.
For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Named “America’s Best Horse Racing Track” by readers of USA TODAY 10Best for 2023, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center and the FanDuel Sportsbook.
OVER $800,000 IN TOTAL PURSE MONEY TO BE AWARDED TO LOUISIANA’S BEST THOROUGHBREDS DURING A STAR-STUDDED 11-RACE PROGRAM
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs is gearing up for the richest day of the season on Saturday when the track hosts Louisiana Premier Night. The annual event features 10 stakes races for Louisiana-breds highlighted by the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship going as the sixth race on the card. The exciting program is set to kick off at 5:15 pm. This marks the 21st renewal of Louisiana Premier Night.
In addition to the top-notch racing on the track, fans will also be able to enter a ‘Bundle of Bets’ drawing in the OTB between 5-6 pm; college students can enter a special drawing for two (2) $1,000 Louisiana scholarships, awarded by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association; and expert handicapper and national horse racing personality Martha Claussen will co-host the simulcast show along with track announcer Don Stevens to give the fans insight and selections throughout the evening.
The $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles will serve as the main event on the LAPN card. This year’s headliner attracted a field of six headed by Set-Hut, LLC’s (Jake Delhomme) Touchuponastar (3-5 morning line), who will be ridden by jockey Tim Thornton. The Jeff Delhomme trainee enters the event on a three-race winning streak and most recently defeated fellow Championship combatant Cosmic Train in the $150,000 Louisiana Classic at Fair Grounds Race Course. Cosmic Train is conditioned by Delhomme’s father Jerry.
Touchuponastar is undefeated at Delta Downs and will be defending his crown in the Championship after taking the race last year. Earlier this season he tallied victories in the $100,000 Gold Cup and the $100,000 Delta Mile. Overall, the 5-year-old gelding has banked $618,100 for his connections.
The Championship field also includes Jeffery A. Reeves’ Ballinonabudjet (8-1), who won the Boyd Rewards Stakes at Delta Downs on December 29. The 6-year-old son of Sky Kingdom enters Saturday’s showdown as the second leading earner with a total of $332,314. The Jeffery A. Reeves, Jr. trainee will be ridden by jockey Devin Magnon.
The second race field on Saturday features millionaire mare Free Like a Girl (4-5), who goes postward in the $125,000 Distaff for owners Gerald Bruno, Jr., Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom. The bay daughter of El Deal is coming off a very close second to Bellamore in the Grade 3 $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic last Saturday night. The Chasey Deville Pomier trainee has earned a staggering $1,136,378 during her spectacular career. She will be ridden by Delta Downs currently leading jockey Vicente Del Cid.
Returning to defend his title in the $100,000 Sprint will be the Mark Casse trainee Bron and Brow. The Gary Barber-owned gelding comes into the race as the top earner in the field with a total of $384,370 and most recently won the $100,000 Gary P. Palmisano Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds on January 6. Jockey Reylu Gutierrez will get a leg up for the race on Saturday night.
Listed below are all 10 Louisiana Premier Night stakes races for 2024 in program order.
Race # Purse Stakes Distance Age
2 $125,000 LAPN Distaff 1 mile 4yo & up FM
3 $100,000 LAPN Matron 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
4 $60,000 LAPN Ladies Starter 1 mile 4yo & up FM
5 $50,000 LAPN Bon Temps Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
6 $150,000 LAPN Championship 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
7 $60,000 LAPN Gentlemen Starter 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
For more information about Louisiana Premier Night and the remainder of Delta Downs’ season, which runs through February 24, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter (X).
Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Premier Night at Delta Downs
Registration On Site at the Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino on February 3, 2024
(VINTON, La.) – Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino will host Premier Night Louisiana bred stakes racing on Saturday, February 3 with a post time of 5:15 p.m. CT.
The richest program of the year will happen February. 3, Louisiana Premier Night. The card will feature the best Louisiana-breds competing in 10 stakes worth $895,000. The headliner on Louisiana Premier Night is the $150,000 Championship for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles.
LA. BRED PREMIER GENTLEMEN STARTER $60,000 Guaranteed
For Four Year Olds & Upward 1 1/16 Miles
LA. BRED PREMIER RAGIN CAJUN STARTER $50,000 Guaranteed
For Four Year Olds & Upward 5 Furlongs
LA. BRED PREMIER BON TEMPS STARTER $50,000 Guaranteed
For Fillies & Mares Four Year Olds & Upward 5 Furlongs
LA. BRED PREMIER PRINCE $100,000 Guaranteed
For Three Year Olds 1 Mile
LA. BRED PREMIER DISTAFF $125,000 Guaranteed
For Fillies & Mares Four Year Olds & Upward 1 Mile
LA. BRED PREMIER STARLET $100,000 Guaranteed
For Fillies Three Year Olds 1 Mile
LA. BRED PREMIER CHAMPIONSHIP $150,000 Guaranteed
For Four Year Olds & Upward 1 1/16 Miles
LA. BRED PREMIER SPRINT $100,000 Guaranteed
For Four Year Olds & Upward 5 Furlongs
LA. BRED PREMIER MATRON $100,000 Guaranteed
For Fillies & Mares Four Year Olds & Upward 5 Furlongs
In addition, the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) will award two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, to college students for a total of $2,000.
“This is great evening of racing with some of the most exciting Louisiana bred racing of the year,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “Premier Night sets the stage for a year of championship racing in Louisiana. It showcases the offspring of mares and stallions for our racing program at one of Louisiana’s racetracks located in the southwest part of our state.”
Requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
Must be a college student enrolled full-time in an Accredited College, University or Community College for Spring 2024 or Summer 2024
Scholarships will be awarded by random draw.
Must be in good standing with the college or university.
Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.
Must have college ID and government-issued ID.
Must have University ID number or Social Security number.
For Louisiana Champions Day:
Registration: 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. at the designated booth
Races begin: 5:15 p.m.
Drawing Time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race. The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages the best incentive program for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed, this has led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses. The thoroughbred racing and breeding industry generates over $1 billion and employs over 60,000 people in the state of Louisiana.
For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call (504) 947-4676.
VINTON, LA—December 8, 2023—Chris Warren, who has served as Director of Racing for both Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs, will depart and head home to Ruidoso, New Mexico.His last day will be December 15.
His Beginning
Warren, 64, grew up in Ruidoso, and credits his dad, Bill Warren, for introducing him to the Sport of Kings. He was a contractor, carpenter and builder by trade. Chris enjoyed watching the races at Ruidoso Downs and earned money in high school by writing and selling a tip sheet he titled “Simon Says.”
Chris Warren 2023. Paula Tindall / Coady Photography
“My dad loved horse racing and definitely got me started,” acknowledged Warren.
He worked summers at Ruidoso Downs and attended the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry program in Tucson.
“I remember in 1987I worked as assistant clerk of scales at Santa Anita,” he said. “The first rider in the room was Billy Shoemaker. That was like a football fan interacting with Tom Brady; he could not have been nice; it was a big moment for me.”
In addition to Santa Anita, Warren traversed the country in various racing office positions early in his career. His employers included The Downs at Santa Fe and Canterbury Park in Minnesota. He first worked at Delta Downs when he was 22 year-old, serving as assistant racing secretary to Jim Grundy. He spent eight years at Delaware Park before returning to Delta Downs in 2001.
Demanding Job Description
The role of director of racing in Louisiana entails a myriad of responsibilities from interacting with horsemen and horsemen’s organizations, attending racing commission meetings, overseeing purses and condition books for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing and ensuring racetrack safety. Hiring competent racing office staff is also a key element of the job, and there are far more positions than the average racing fan knows about! Placing judges, entry clerks, starter and assistants, gate crew, jockey room clerk of scales, valets and more! When Boyd Gaming acquired its second track in Louisiana in 2013, Warren was asked to take over the role at Evangeline Downs in addition to Delta.
“In hindsight, I should have said no,” quipped Warren. “In the beginning, I put a lot of miles making the 120 mile (one-way) commute between the two tracks. Those trips have not been as necessary in the last few years.”
He earned respect from both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred trainers throughout his tenure.
Kenneth Roberts, Sr. has been one of the leading Louisiana Quarter Horse trainers for decades and credited Warren for his commitment to the horsemen.
“I have always had a good relationship with Chris,” stated Roberts. “You could call him with concerns, and he listened. His hands were tied sometimes, but he pulled for the horsemen and was there for us.”
Allen Landry, who runs Thoroughbreds at both Delta and Evangeline, echoed the sentiments of Roberts.
“Despite his busy schedule, Chris would always take my call,” said Landry. “He would do his best in taking care of what I asked him to look into. We will miss him!”
The memories are plentiful for Warren for both breeds. Each year, Delta Downs concludes its Quarter Horse meet with the running of the Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity. Named in honor of the late Louisiana horseman who developed the Vinton racetrack and served as its first president. Warren extends an invitation to the entire Berwick family to watch the ten juveniles compete for the championship. Berwick’s widow, Betty, attends and is escorted to the very crowded winner’s circle by Warren.
“The race is always exciting and it’s nice to spend a few minutes with Betty,” acknowledged Warren. “I will miss her a lot.”
The $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot was held for 15 years, and Warren enjoyed the high profile Thoroughbred event, which served as a springboard to the Kentucky Derby. A total of 16 Delta Jackpot participants made it to the starting gate on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs.
“It was cool to follow our Jackpot winners on the Triple Crown trail,” said Warren. “We welcomed many high profile trainers and saw some really great horses including Exaggerator, Goldencents and 2010 Eclipse Award Sprint winner Big Drama.”
Steve Kuypers, Vice President and General Manager of Delta Downs praised Warren for his commitment and years of service to the Vinton, Louisiana racetrack.
“Chris’s dedication and intense passion for the sport had a tremendous impact on Delta Downs, as well as horse racing across the state of Louisiana,” said Kuypers. “His contributions helped make Delta Downs the #1 racetrack in the United States in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice poll earlier this year. Chris is a great colleague and friend, and he leaves behind an incredible legacy at Delta Downs. We will all miss him greatly and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Smooth Transition to Come
John Simon, currently the racing secretary at Delta Downs, will serve as Director of Racing at the Vinton racetrack and Tracey Coonce takes on the same role at Evangeline Downs.
“They have done a great job and get along well with their staff,” said Warren.
Don Stevens, the popular announcer at Delta Downs, also worked closely with Warren.
“I have worked with Chris for over 20 years at Delta Downs,” said Stevens. “His extensive experience in the racing industry, along with his ability to look at things from a unique perspective, have been an asset to Boyd Gaming and he will be sorely missed.”
Warren will return to his home in Ruidoso to the delight of his wife of 40 years, Patricia, and their feline family. He has no plans for retirement and hopes to remain in the racing industry in a smaller capacity.
“I’m looking forward to regrouping, enjoying the holidays and playing some golf when it gets warmer,” stated Warren. “Right now, I have no interest in working full time, but hope to do something to help pay the cat food bill!”
THE NEW LOWER TAKEOUT RATE WILL BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel today announced that it will lower the takeout rate on all Pick 4 and Pick 5 waging pools from 25% to 12% beginning Wednesday, December 13. The new rate will be in effect through the end of the season, Saturday, February 24.
The lower takeout rate will mean more money returned to racing fans that hold winning tickets each night. The track offers a pair of Pick 4’s and Pick 5’s on each live program. The Early Pick 5 begins on the first race each night, and the Late Pick 5 takes place on the final five races. The Early Pick 4 starts on the second race and the Late Pick 4 covers the final four races on the card.
Live racing takes place this season each Wednesday through Saturday night beginning at 5:05 pm through December 30, with the exception of Monday, December 18 through Thursday, December 21. During that week the track will host daytime race programs starting 12:55 pm before the Christmas holiday.
For more information about racing at Delta Downs, including a detailed schedule, post times, and stakes dates, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information throughout the season with our social media accounts. The Facebook page is found at ‘Delta Downs Racing’, and the track’s Twitter (X) handle is @deltaracing.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Named “America’s Best Horse Racing Track” by readers of USA TODAY 10Best, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center and the FanDuel Sportsbook.
Louisiana-based stallion Hard Aces was represented by his first stakes winner last week when Spinning Aces captured the Nov. 10 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs.
Racing in third early, Spinning Aces advanced to take command and was determined through the stretch, defeating Awesome Ruta by a neck. He raced seven furlongs over a sloppy track under Joel Dominguez in 1:27.86, posting an 82 Equibase Speed Figure. He paid $19.80 to win in taking the open, $100,000 stakes event.
Spinning Aces, a 2-year-old gelding bred by Gerald Averett Jr. in Louisiana out of the Afternoon Deelites mare Just Alex, is 2-0-1 in three starts with earnings of $89,540 for owner Lynne Boutte and trainer Allen Landry.
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted a pair of $100,000 stakes races for 2-year-olds on Friday night. The Jean Lafitte featured a field of nine colts and geldings while the My Trusty Cat saw the same number of young fillies go to the gate. Each event was contested over a sloppy track at seven furlongs.
The Jean Lafitte was carded as the second race on the program and provided race fans with plenty of fireworks early as Lynne M. Boutte’s Spinning Aces just edged out Awesome Ruta and Good Like Magic to win the event while making his stakes debut.
Under jockey Joel Dominguez, Spinning Aces broke well before stalking the early pace set by longshot Gone Elvis, who covered the opening quarter mile in a time of 22.95 seconds while being pressed by Good Like Magic. Nearing the half-mile mark Good Like Magic put away Gone Elvis after stopping the timer in 47.58 but then had to deal with the eventual winner. Good Like Magic and Spinning Aces ran side-by-side turning for home before Spinning Aces forged a narrow lead after going three quarters of a mile in 1:14.18.
Through the homestretch a late challenger appeared on the scene in the form of 42-1 longshot Awesome Ruta, who launched a stout rally before coming up a neck short of the winner at the finish line. Good Like Magic held the third spot another neck behind the runner-up. The final time for the race was 1:27.86.
Spinning Aces has now won two of his three career starts. He earned $60,000 for his win against open-company on Friday and now has a bankroll of $99,540.
Bred in Louisiana by Gerald L. Averett, Jr., Spinning Aces is a 2-year-old bay gelding by Hard Aces, out of the Afternoon Deelites mare Just Alex. He is conditioned by Allen Landry.
Sent to the starting gate at odds of 8-1, Spinning Aces paid $19.80 to win, $11.40 to place and $5.40 to show. Awesome Ruta was worth $34.20 to place and $11.80 to show. Good Like Magic returned $2.80 to show.
Unlike the Jean Lafitte, the My Trusty Cat turned into a runaway for Willis Horton Racing’s Tapit Jenallie, who was ridden to victory by Richard Eramia. The Eddie Milligan, Jr. trainee came from off the pace to score a decisive victory. It was her first in stakes company.
After breaking cleanly from post position two, Tapit Jenallie took back off the early pace set by Kant Resist It, who covered the opening quarter mile in 22.91 seconds and the half mile in 47.27. As the field entered the second turn Tapit Jenallie started gaining on the leader and eventually slipped through a gap at the rail to take command turning for home. She hit the three-quarter mark in a time of 1:14.13 while widening her margin through the lane.
At the finish line Tapit Jenallie was all by herself, winning the race by 5 ½ lengths over Kant Resist It, who settled for second. Noriskit Nobiscuit was no threat to the top pair, finishing another two lengths behind the runner-up. Tapit Jenallie covered seven furlongs in a time of 1:27.91.
The win by Tapit Jenallie was the second of her two-race career. She broke her maiden at Remington Park on September 30 before making her stakes debut on Friday night. The first-place prize of $60,000 raised her fledgling bankroll to $80,094.
Bred in Kentucky by her owner, Tapit Jenallie is a 2-year-old chestnut filly by Tapit, out of the War Front mare Take Charge Tressa.
Sent off as the even-money favorite, Tapit Jenallie paid $4 to win, $3 to place and $2.60 to show. Kant Resist It returned $7.60 to place and $4.60 to show. Noriskit Nobiscuit paid $2.80 to show.
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