Delta Downs will host its richest race program of the season on Wednesday, Feb. 10, when the track will award $805,000 in total purse throughout 10 stakes races. The event is called Louisiana Premier Day, and for the first time in its 18-year existence it will take place during the daytime hours with first post time set for 12:55 pm.
The featured race on the card will be the $125,000 Louisiana Premier Day 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 nine talented runners including last year's winner Underpressure, from the barn of trainer Chris Richard. Underpressure, a 7-year-old gelding, is also the top earner in the field with a bankroll of $763,182 from 39 lifetime starts for owner Mallory Richard. Journeyman jockey Gerard Melancon will pilot Underpressure in the big race.
The Championship field also includes Israel Flores Horses, LLC's Pound for Pound and Gerard Perron's Grand Luwegee. Pound for Pound beat Underpressure by a nose in their most recent showdown, an allowance event at Fair Grounds on January 14. Grand Luwegee won the Championship back in 2019 and scored a big win in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds in December of this year.
Fans will also be in for a treat when the $100,00 Louisiana Premier Day Sprint rolls around in the sixth race as grade I winner No Parole makes his second appearance at Delta Downs for owner Maggi Moss and trainer Tom Amoss. The 4-year-old star won last year's Louisiana Premier Day Prince before going on to take the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park this past June. Diego Saenz will be at the helm when No Parole goes to the starting gate on Wednesday afternoon.
Another race that will get plenty of attention on the program will be the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Day Starlet featuring Brett Brinkman and P. Dale Ladner's Cilla. The 3-year-old daughter of California Chrome most recently finished third in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park. Brinkman trains Cilla and Gerard Melancon will get the mount aboard the likely favorite.
In addition to the many local horsemen taking part in Louisiana Premier Day there are also some nationally prominent trainers who will saddle horses on the program. They include Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, as well as W. Bret Calhoun, Tom Amoss and others.
Delta Downs will offer the DRF Bets $50,000 Guaranteed All Stakes Pick 4 wager on the Louisiana Premier Day program. The special wager will take place on race 7 – 10, which includes the afternoon's richest race, the $125,000 Louisiana Premier Day Championship serving as the penultimate leg.
Delta Downs will also welcome a special guest to its simulcast program during Louisiana Premier Day. Nationally known horse racing analyst and commentator Martha Claussen will join track announcer Don Stevens on the simulcast show as a co-host, handicapper and trackside reporter following the major stakes races.
Listed below are all 10 Louisiana Premier Day stakes races for 2021 in program order.
Race # Purse Stakes Race Distance Age
1 $40,000 LAPD Bon Temps Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
2 $50,000 LAPD Ladies Starter 1 mile 4yo & up FM
3 $100,000 LAPD Starlet 1 mile 3yo fillies
4 $40,000 LAPD Ragin Cajun Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up
5 $100,000 LAPD Prince 1 mile 3yo
6 $100,000 LAPD Sprint 5 furlongs 4yo & up
7 $100,000 LAPD Distaff 1 mile 4yo & up FM
8 $100,000 LAPD Matron 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
9 $125,000 LAPD Championship 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
10 $50,000 LAPD Gentlemen Starter 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be awarding two (2) $1,000 college scholarships via a drawing that will take place on Louisiana Premier Day.
Entries for the LTBA drawing will be taken online only this year at www.louisianabred.com. The deadline to enter is noon on Tuesday, February 9. Winners will be announced after the fifth race at the track and the drawing will be shown live on the Louisiana Thoroughbred Association Facebook page. To qualify for the drawing, entrants must be enrolled full time for spring or summer 2021 classes and in good standing with their Louisiana college or university.
For more information about Louisiana Premier Day and the remainder of Delta Downs' current season, which runs through April 16, visit the track's website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.
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