Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel announced that it is altering its stakes schedule for the upcoming 2017-18 Thoroughbred season due to the regionwide impact of Hurricane Harvey. The 84-day meet is scheduled to get underway on October 18.
At the recommendation of the Louisiana HBPA Board of Directors, Delta Downs has decided to cancel eight open-bred stakes during the first half of the season, including the $1-million Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) on November 18. Delta Downs currently plans to continue its full calendar of stakes races in the second half of the season as scheduled.
“While we are disappointed to scale back our first-half calendar, we believe this decision is appropriate, given the tremendous amount of damage throughout the region and the current focus on recovery efforts,” said Steve Kuypers, Vice President and General Manager of Delta Downs. “By continuing our support of the stakes races for Louisiana owners and trainers, we will help ensure the well-being and livelihood of our state’s hardworking horsemen during this difficult time.”
Delta Downs still plans to host two events on the November 18 Jackpot Day card – the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy and $150,000 Louisiana Jewel Stakes.
For more information on Delta Downs, including a revised schedule for the 2017-18 season, visit the track’s website www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information on Facebook with the track’s page ‘Delta Downs Racing’ and on Twitter with the handle @deltaracing.
(from Delta Downs news release)