Delta Jackpot attracts its best field ever
Unbeaten CAVE'S VALLEY (Stephen Got Even) and Grade 1-placed Z HUMOR (Distorted Humor) highlight a strong field of 10 juveniles in Friday's $1 million Delta Jackpot S. (G3). There's plenty of depth in the 1 1/16-mile contest, with RACECAR RHAPSODY (Tale of the Cat), OVEREXTENDED (Monarchos), GOLDEN YANK (Yankee Gentleman) and BETATRON (Tale of the Cat) all rating serious consideration for top honors, and an all-star cast of jockeys, featuring Garrett Gomez, Robby Albarado, Rafael Bejarano, Ramon Dominguez, Calvin Borel, Pat Valenzuela and Shaun Bridgmohan, will be on hand to ride at the Vinton, Louisiana, oval. Two-time stakes hero Cave's Valley will make his graded debut off a smashing 5 3/4-length score in the Dover S. at Delaware Park. The Michael Trombetta runner was flattered when the runner-up in his last two outings, Atoned (Repent), turned in an excellent second-place effort behind Court Vision (Gulch) in the November 24 Remsen S. (G2). Cave's Valley has recorded a pair of bullet workouts at Laurel Park in preparation for this engagement, and Dominguez will ride. Z Humor captured his career debut in impressive style at Saratoga for Bill Mott and followed with a third in the Sapling S. (G3). The Zayat Stables colorbearer filled the show spot in the Champagne S. (G1) before a respectable fifth-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last out. Gomez will pick up the mount aboard the bay colt.
|
Racecar Rhapsody, a smart maiden special weight victor at Keeneland two
starts back, exits a fast-finishing third in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2)
for Kenny McPeek, who will be seeking his second straight Delta Jackpot
following last year's success with Birdbirdistheword (Pure Prize). Albarado will
retain the mount. Doug O'Neill will send out Overextended, who exits a runner-up
finish in the Real Quiet S. at Hollywood Park.
Golden Yank is the top local hope. Unbeaten in three starts for conditioner Gary Thomas, the gelding recorded a facile 4 3/4-length score in the Remington MEC Mile S. prior to a smashing 5 3/4-length decision in the Jean Lafitte S. at Delta Downs most recently. Betatron will try graded stakes company off a good-looking allowance win at Churchill Downs for Tom Amoss. Other contenders include TURF WAR (Dixie Union), winner of the Swynford S. at Woodbine prior to a sixth as the favorite in the Grey Breeders' Cup S. (Can-G3) last out, and Iroquois S. (G3) third-placer ST. JOE (Trippi). CUDJO (Yonaguska), the third-place finisher behind Cave's Valley in the Dover and Whirling Ash S., is also in the field. The entire field, in post position order, is Betatron, Miguel Mena; Golden Yank, Gerard Melancon; Overextended, Valenzuela; Z Humor; Cudjo, Curt Bourque; Cave's Valley; Racecar Rhapsody; St. Joe, Bejarano; Turf War, Borel; and TAKE THE MONEY (Silver Charm), Bridgmohan. Golden Yank, Cave's Valley and Turf War will all carry 119 pounds; the rest tote 117.
|
Three other stakes will be offered on Friday night's program at Delta Downs.
The $300,000
Delta Princess S. is an attractive spot for juvenile fillies, and 10 young
lasses will line up for the one-mile affair. Unbeaten BY THE LIGHT (Malibu
Moon), a convincing winner over New York-bred rivals in the New York Breeders'
Futurity and Lady Finger S., is a top draw from the Richard Dutrow stable.
Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies S. heroine SKY MOM (Maria's Mon), third last time
behind the formidable Pure Clan (Pure Prize) in the Pocahontas S. (G3), merits
serious respect, and the O'Neill-trained maiden CHAMPAGNE EYES (Flatter), who
exits a runner-up finish in the Sharp Cat S. at Hollywood, will likely attract
support.
Grade 3 winner JONESBORO (Sefapiano) will cut back to seven furlongs and
defend his title in the $75,000
Town S. WATCHEM SMOKEY (Alphabet Soup), runner-up to Jonesboro in last
year's edition, is also in the seven-horse field. In the $75,000
Treasure Chest S. for distaffers going seven panels, stakes victress and
multiple Grade 3-placed COOLWIND (Forest Wildcat) is a top contender. She'll
face five challengers.
Authors
Categories
FEATURED PRODUCTS
Daily Selections
Full racecard analysis/expert picks for major tracks from America's top handicappers.
Buy Nowe-ponies Picks
E-Ponies computer-based figures have been around since 1997. Using an algorithm written by the business owner and handicapper, Liam Durbin, and powered by BRIS data files, E-Ponies offers a unique, fact-based, dispassionate analysis of every horse in every race, assigning scores for speed, class, form, connections, and more. Forget which jockey owes you money! What does the data say!
Buy NowBruno With the Works
Bruno De Julio & team bring 30+ yrs experience observing racehorses to Brisnet with valuable insight into their morning routines & chances for success in the afternoons.
Buy NowValue Plays AI by Predicteform
Full race card program with easy-to-use win chances and contender classifications for every runner plus analysis of the Best Bet, Live Longshot, and Wagering Suggestions for every race.
Buy NowADVERTISEMENT