MARIAH’S GALAXY SCORES FIRST STAKES WIN IN THE LOOKOUT AT DELTA DOWNS

By Don Stevens —-

Mariah’s Galaxy; Coady Photography

JOCKEY KEVIN SMITH RIDES THE WINNER AFTER DIEGO SAENZ INJURY –

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $65,000 Lookout Stakes on Friday night and it was Riley Blanchet and Todd Matte’s filly Mariah’s Galaxy who notched the first stakes score of her career. The winner was ridden by jockey Kevin Smith, who picked up the mount after scheduled rider Diego Saenz was injured while being unseated by one of his mounts earlier in the program.

Mariah’s Galaxy was reserved early in the one-mile Lookout as she sat in a ground-saving position behind pacesetter Fleet Halo, who set the fractional times of 24.06 seconds for the quarter-mile, 49.37 for the half, and 1:14.48 for three-quarters. When the field turned for home Smith got after his mount and she responded by running down the leader and drawing clear to win by 3-1/2 lengths over Salty Martini, who also finished well. Tap Dance Star wound up third, another length behind the runner-up.

Mariah’s Galaxy covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 1:41.40.

The win by Mariah’s Galaxy marked the sixth of her 19-race career. The winner’s prize of $39,000 raised her career bankroll to $148,130.

Mariah’s Galaxy is a 4-year-old filly by Greeley’s Galaxy, out of the Devil His Due mare Black Mariah. She was bred in Louisiana by Margie K. Averett.

Sent to the gate at odds of 9-5, Mariah’s Galaxy paid $5.60 to win, $4.20 to place and $3.40 to show. Salty Martini was worth $19.40 to place and $8.20 to show. Tap Dance Star paid $5 to show.

Delta Downs will close out its race week on Saturday night with another 10-race program and another stakes race. The featured event will be the $65,000 B Connected Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward competing at one mile. First post time is set for 5:25 pm.

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

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.