Delta Downs kicks off 2013-14 season

Delta Downs will open the doors on its

2013-14 Thoroughbred season Friday night. Regular post times

during the 88-day stand will be at 5:45 p.m. (CT).

After opening the season with live programs Friday and

Saturday night, the track will revert to its normal schedule of racing each

Wednesday through Saturday until the meet concludes on March 15. The only

exceptions to the schedule will come on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day: there

will be no live racing on November 28 and December 25.

"We are so excited to get the new season underway," said

Steve Kuypers, Delta Downs vice president and general manager. "Our team members

have welcomed back the horsemen with open arms and we're ready to begin another

tremendous season on Friday night."

This year's stakes schedule is one of the best in track

history, featuring $4.6 million in purse money distributed over 32 races. The richest event of the season will take place on November 23

when the track hosts the 11th running of the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot.

In addition to the featured race on Jackpot Day, the track will also card

seven other stakes races, including the Grade 3, $500,000 Delta Downs Princess and award a total of $2.2 million that afternoon. There is a special post time

of 1:15 p.m. on Jackpot Day.

Another rich program will take place on February

1 when the track hosts Louisiana Premier Night. The annual event features 10

stakes races and more than $1 million in total purse money awarded to horses bred in

the Bayou State.

Last year's top horsemen are expected to return to Delta

Downs and vie for top honors once again this year. Gerard Melancon, who won his

third local riding title last year with 104 wins, will return to battle it out

with past champions like Tracy Hebert and Diego Saenz. In the trainer ranks, Karl Broberg is the favorite to win his third title in a row after saddling 56

winners last year and taking top honors at Evangeline Downs this summer.

Fans may follow developments for the new Delta Downs

season on the track's website and through social media with

Facebook and

Twitter.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com