Delta Downs Releases 2019 American Quarter Horse Season Dates; Stakes Nomination Blanks Available
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Delta Downs hosts one of the top Quarter Horse seasons in the country each year. One of the reasons for that is the tremendous stakes schedule offered to horsemen for both Louisiana-bred and open-bred horses.
Next year’s major stakes activity will begin with the Old South Derby and Futurity for open-bred runners that will take place on May 10 and 11 respectively. The track will then host the Louisiana-bred Lassie (RG2) and Louisiana-bred Laddie (RG2) futurities a week later on May 17 and 18. Last year’s Laddie purse set an all-time record of $359,715.
The richest open-bred stakes races of the season will take place on Independence Day, Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4 when the track hosts the Firecracker Futurity (G2) and Firecracker Derby. In 2018 the Firecracker races offered purses of $362,675 and $212,005 respectively.
The richest night of racing during the meeting will take place on closing night, Saturday, July 6 when the track presents another edition of Louisiana Showcase Night, featuring eight stakes races for horses bred in the Bayou State. The highlight of the evening will be the Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity (RG1) for 2-year-olds. The race offered a staggering purse of $700,000 in 2018 after paying out a record purse amount of $705,495 in 2017.
Horsemen interested in nominating runners for the big races during the upcoming season can obtain nomination blanks in the Delta Downs racing office or they can print them out online at the track’s website, www.deltadownsracing.com under the ‘Horsemen’s Information’ section.
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.