Contentious Delta Jackpot draws field of 10

An intriguing, wide-open field of 10 juvenile colts and geldings hope to pad

their bank accounts for both short-term gain and the long-term goal of reserving

their spot in the starting gate of next year's Kentucky Derby (G1) in Friday

night's $750,000

Delta Jackpot S. (G3) at Delta Downs. Infused with money driven by slots

revenue, the Delta Jackpot has in recent years been used by some as a one-stop

ticket punch to the Kentucky Derby, where the amount of graded earnings,

regardless of source, is the deciding factor in who gets to run and who doesn't.

While some will undoubtedly run better than others, on paper none of the

Delta Jackpot entrants appears to be grasping at straws or swinging for the

fences in the 1 1/16-mile affair. Garnering the most attention will be BIG DRAMA

(Montbrook), who swept the three-race Florida Stallion S. series for colts and

geldings by increasing margins; the undefeated New York-bred TRINITY MAGIC

(Performing Magic), a seven-length winner of the Sleepy Hollow S. at Belmont

last time; and TERRAIN (Sky Mesa), the Grade 1-placed stakes winner who was

closed late to be fourth, 2 1/4 lengths behind Midshipman (Unbridled's Song), in

the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

Other logical threats include Kentucky Cup Juvenile (G3) conqueror WEST SIDE

BERNIE (Bernstein), beaten three lengths into sixth in the Breeders' Cup

Juvenile; RETAP (Tapit), who has finished just behind Terrain and West Side

Bernie in his last two outings; THREE PART HARMONY (Concerto), twice second to

Big Drama during the Florida Stallion series; dual stakes winner KICK ON

(Wiseman's Ferry), victor of the Jean Lafitte S. in his local prep; and Canadian

invader STIMULUS PLAN (Jump Start), a fast-closing third in the Grey S. (Can-G3)

last out.

The field is completed by a pair of colts hoping to transfer their solid turf

form to the dirt. SKIPADATE (Skip Away) was beaten a head in both the With

Anticipation S. and Summer S. (Can-G3) prior to a sub-par effort in the

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, while VALID MESSAGE (Valid Expectations) has

knocked out stakes wins at Louisiana Downs and Retama Park in recent months.

Another full field was lured by the $500,000 on offer in the one-mile

Delta Princess S. (G3), the companion event for juvenile fillies. While not

as deep, the race has attracted a solid cast which includes Arlington-Washington

Lassie (G3) heroine C. S. SILK (Medaglia d'Oro), who set the pace before fading

to the seventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) over Santa Anita's

closer-friendly Pro-Ride surface.

Trainer Larry Jones, who enjoyed an embarrassment of riches in the filly

ranks this year with the likes of Eight Belles and Proud Spell (Proud Citizen),

could have another Kentucky Oaks (G1) candidate on his hands with JUST JENDA

(Menifee), who in two starts overpowered her Philadelphia Park contemporaries by

a combined margin of 15 3/4 lengths, including a nine-length romp in the

Brandywine S. on October 28.

LIVIN LOVIN (Birdstone), triumphant by 4 1/4 lengths in the Tempted S. (G3)

at Aqueduct last out to remain undefeated in two starts over the eight-furlong

trip, figures to attract serious play, while Churchill allowance winners FOUR

GIFTS (Even the Score) and LOVEYOU EVERYBODY (Five Star Day) enter with

progressive form. SOUTHERN YANKEE (Yankee Gentleman), the 16-1 winner of the

local prep, the My Trusty Cat S., will try to pull off another upset and to stay

perfect since adding blinkers in her second start.

There are two other six-figure stakes on Delta's program, both for older

horses. The $100,000

Delta

Mile S. might see either SILVER LORD (Unbridled's Song) or FORTY GRAMS

(Distorted Humor) as beneficiaries of a fast, contested pace. A more

accomplished field was assembled for the $100,000

Treasure Chest S. for fillies and mares, which showcases multiple Grade 2

queen ROLLING SEA (Sefapiano), last-out Chilukki S. (G2) runner-up UNFORGOTTEN

(Northern Afleet), and local mainstay ZARB'S BALLERINA (Zarbyev).