Category: Steve Kuypers

Delta Downs Named Best Horse Racing Track by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

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April 21, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel was named “Best Horse Racing Track in America” in the 2023 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

10Best editors and a panel of experts selected 20 nominees out of more than 300 horse racing tracks across the United States to be entered into competition, with winners selected solely by public voting in March and April on the 10Best website. When all the votes were counted, Delta Downs was ranked top racetrack in the nation by 10Best readers, beating out many of the nation’s well-known racetracks.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as America’s Best Horse Racing Track by the readers of 10Best and USA Today,” said Steve Kuypers, Vice President and General Manager of Delta Downs. “This award is truly a tribute to every member of the Delta Downs’ team.  Their dedication to providing exceptional service to our guests is what makes Delta Downs a great place to work and play, and their efforts helped us rise to the top in this prestigious competition.”

For the full list of winners, visit www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-horse-racing-track-2023/.

Delta Downs Could Be Back Under Lights By Nov. 12

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By T. D. Thornton

A two-phase fix to the allegedly unsafe new lighting system at Delta Downs is underway that could allow the Louisiana track to switch back from afternoon programs to traditional weekend night cards by Nov. 12.

The recently installed light-emitting diode (LED) system, which was necessitated by the old lights getting wrecked by a hurricane in August 2020, was only operational for three races on the first night program of the season Oct. 15 before a horse fell at the top of the stretch.

Fueled by complaints from some jockeys and trainers that areas on the turns were dangerously dark and shadowy, the remainder of that card and the Oct. 16 program were cancelled. Delta resumed racing during afternoons without lights Oct. 20-23.

 

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DELTA DOWNS WORKS TOWARD REVISED SCHEDULE FOR 2020-21 THOROUGHBRED SEASON

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REPAIRS TO RACETRACK UNDERWAY AFTER HURRICANE LAURA

September 28, 2020

VINTON, LA – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel today announced that it is working toward a revised start date for its 2020-21 Thoroughbred season, following delays caused by heavy damage to the track from Hurricane Laura on August 27.

Based on the progress of repairs to date, Delta Downs believes it will be able to allow horses to move back on the grounds and start training by late October and begin live racing in late November.

This year’s meet was originally scheduled to run from October 6, 2020 to February 27, 2021 for a total of 84 race days. The end of the season may now be revised and extended along with a change in the total number of race days, pending approval from the Louisiana Racing Commission

Steve Kuypers, Vice President & General Manager of Delta Downs, said: “Boyd Gaming and Delta Downs are committed to hosting a successful 2020-21 Thoroughbred meet here in Vinton, Louisiana.”

As work continues and repairs are completed, Delta Downs will provide further information about when horses will be allowed to be stabled on the backside, when the track plans to begin its season, and the new schedule for live racing. This information will be posted to the Delta Downs website at www.deltadownsracing.com.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 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.