Delta Downs is getting set for the richest race day of the season on Saturday when Louisiana's most talented racehorses will vie for nearly $1 million in total purse money on Louisiana Premier Night. The annual event features 10 stakes races on a 12-race program that kicks off at 4:50 pm. This will be the 20th renewal of Louisiana Premier Night.
In addition to thrilling action on the racetrack, fans will also be treated to a Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Last Fan Standing Handicapping Contest with cash prizes awarded to the top five finishers; a special drawing for two (2) $1,000 Louisiana college scholarships, also sponsored by the LTBA; and an appearance by expert handicapper and national horse racing personality Martha Claussen, who will co-host the simulcast show along with track announcer Don Stevens.
The feature race on Saturday will be the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles, which will be the 11th race on the card. This year's headliner attracted a field of nine headed by Set-Hut, LLC's Touchuponastar (3-1 morning line favorite), 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 four other Championship runners in the Louisiana Classic at Fair Grounds on Champions Day, Dec. 10.
The LAPN Championship field also includes top earner Who Took The Money (7-2), who won the $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta Downs earlier this season; Highland Creek (6-1), who won the Boyd Rewards Stakes at Delta Downs on December 30; Behemah Star (9-2), who finished second to Touchuponastar in the Louisiana Classic; and defending race champion Langs Day (6-1).
The overwhelming morning line favorite on the entire program is Brittlyn Stable's 5-year-old mare Ova Charged, who will go postward in the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Matron at five furlongs. Installed at odds of 3-5 in the program, Ova Charged is a graded stakes placed runner who enters the night on a five-race winning streak, the last four of which were in stakes company. Jockey Jose Luis Rodriguez will get a leg up on the mare from trainer Jose Camejo.
The top earner on the entire program Saturday will try to win her second consecutive Louisiana Premier Night race when Free Like a Girl goes to the post in the $125,000 Distaff. The Chasey Deville Pomier trainee won last year's Starlet as a 3-year-old and has been graded stakes placed multiple times since that effort. Overall, the 4-year-old daughter of El Deal has banked $754,878 on 10 wins from 22 starts. Jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr. will pilot Free Like a Girl, who is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the race.
In addition to the many local horsemen taking part in Louisiana Premier Night, there will also be nationally prominent trainers who will saddle horses on the program. They include Brad Cox, Karl Broberg, W. Bret Calhoun and many others.
Listed below are all 10 Louisiana Premier Night stakes races for 2023 in program order:
Race # Purse Stakes Distance Age
3 $60,000 LAPN Ladies Starter 1 mile 4yo & up FM
4 $50,000 LAPN Bon Temps Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
5 $60,000 LAPN Gentlemen Starter 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
6 $100,000 LAPN Prince 1 mile 3yo
7 $125,000 LAPN Distaff 1 mile 4yo & up FM
8 $100,000 LAPN Matron 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
9 $100,000 LAPN Starlet 1 mile 3yo Fillies
10 $100,000 LAPN Sprint 5 furlongs 4yo & up
11 $150,000 LAPN Championship 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
12 $50,000 LAPN Ragin Cajun Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up
For more information about Louisiana Premier Night and the remainder of Delta Downs' season, which runs through February 25, visit the track's website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.
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 off Interstate 10, and from Texas take exit 4.
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