Delta Hosts Another Edition Of Louisiana Showcase, $700,000 Lee Berwick Futurity Highlights Program

The $700,000 Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) for state-bred 2-year-olds will head Saturday's Louisiana Showcase Night at Delta Downs.

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The main event will be the $700,000 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) (see related story), serving as the final race on the card. First post time for closing night is scheduled for 5:45 pm (CDT).

This year’s Lee Berwick field is headed by Jose Estrada Quarter Horses’ Eysa Jess Jumpn, who recorded the fastest qualifying time of 17.288 (Speed Index 101) for 350 yards on July 16. The Josue Huitron trainee comes into the event on a two-race winning streak and will have jockey David Alvarez in the saddle.

Another race that will grab plenty of attention on the Louisiana Showcase Night program is the $268,655 Delta Downs Derby, carded as the 11th race. The ultra-consistent gray filly Shesa Diamond Diva posted the fastest qualifying time for the event back on June 15 with jockey Eddie Sanchez in the irons for trainer Jose Luis Sanchez. Owned by Crown Horse Racing, LLC, Shesa Diamond Diva has won four of eight career starts and has never finished worse than second.

The older horses will get a chance to strut their stuff on Saturday in the $100,000 Louisiana Classic (RG2). The top earner in the field of 10 is Tf Racee Runaway, who made most of his money by winning the Louisiana Million at Evangeline Downs as a 2-year-old in 2016. But he’ll have to deal with plenty of competition from horses like Lightemupwithcharm, who will attempt to win his third stakes race of the season after already capturing the Louisiana Purchase and Vals Fortune on April 21 and June 8 respectively.

In addition to great racing on Saturday night, Delta Downs will also honor the leading horsemen of the meet between races. Coming into the week the race for leading jockey is still up in the air as Luis Vivanco leads the standings, but by only three wins over five-time Delta Downs leading jockey John Hamilton, 38-35. The race for leading trainer is all but wrapped up as Michael Taylor owns a 13-win advantage over Orlando Orozco, 34-21. Taylor won his first title as a trainer at Delta Downs in 2015.

The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association will conduct a drawing for two (2) $1,500 college scholarships during the Louisiana Showcase Night program. Entrants must be enrolled and in good standing with a Louisiana college or university, and enter the drawing between 5:30 and 7:30 pm. The drawing box will be located on the track level near the escalator that leads to the Triple Crown buffet. Entrants must be present to win. The winner’s will be announced between races after 7:30 pm.

Delta Downs will also welcome a special guest to its simulcast program during Louisiana Premier Night as Martha Claussen will join track announcer Don Stevens on the simulcast show as a co-host, handicapper and interviewer following the major stakes races.

After Saturday night at Delta Downs, the track will be dark until its 2018-19 Thoroughbred season gets underway on October 17. The 84-day meeting will run through March 9 and include live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night beginning at 5:25 pm. Full card simulcasting will be offered to race fans in the OTB seven days a week during the track’s down time.

For more information about the upcoming season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook 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.