SIX SHOOTER HITS THE MARK IN THE BIG DRAMA STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

By Don Stevens —-

Six Shooter; Coady Photography

A M MILKY WAY UPSETS THE FIELD IN THE $50,000 SAM’S TOWN STAKES –

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs capped off its 12th week of racing on Saturday night with an exciting program that included the $75,000 Big Drama and the $50,000 Sam’s Town Stakes.

The Big Drama lived up to its name as Six Shooter came from off the pace while slipping through a tight spot at the rail to claim victory under jockey Thomas Pompell for trainer Paul Holthus. The property of Dandalk 5 LLC, N P H Stable and Wes Herek defeated Ninth Street by 1-1/4 lengths while Mr. Money Bags rounded out the trifecta by finishing third, another ½ length behind the runner-up.

Six Shooter covered 7-1/2 furlongs in the Big Drama in a time of 1:35.03 while running over a fast track. The race was restricted to 3-year-olds.

The win by Six Shooter marked the third of his seven-race career. He earned $45,000 for the effort which raised his bankroll to $123,850.

Bred in Kentucky by Craig D. Upham, Six Shooter is a 3-year-old gelding by Trappe Shot, out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Academy Road.

Sent to the gate as the 8-5 wagering favorite, Six Shooter paid $5.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Ninth Street was worth $4 to place and $3.20 to show. Mr Money Bags paid $4.80 to show.

This year’s Sam’s Town field of seven horses was loaded with early speed and A M Milky Way took advantage of it by sitting behind a wicked pace of 21.94 seconds for the opening quarter-mile in the five-furlong sprint. The half-mile time was a taxing 45.96 set by Imma Bling, but the big gray could not hold off the eventual winner who went by in the upper-stretch before holding off a late charge by Hold Me Black to win by one length. Imma Bling faded to third, another 6-3/4 lengths behind Hold Me Black.

A M Milky Way covered the distance of the Sam’s Town in 58.72.

A M Milky Way notched his ninth career win the Sam’s Town from 33 overall starts. The first-place prize of $30,000 increased his bankroll to $308,380.

Bred in Texas by his owner David Davis, A M Milky Way is a 7-year-old gelding by Elusive Bluff, out of the Noactor mare Actress E.

A M Milky Way went off as the second longest shot in the field at 16-1 and paid $35.80 to win, $13 to place and $7.40 to show. Hold Me Black returned $8.20 to place and $5 to show. Imma Bling was worth $4.80 to show.

Delta Downs will race live again on Wednesday night with a 10-race program that begins at 5:25 pm CT. The next stakes activity at the track will take place on Saturday, February 9 with another edition of Louisiana Premier Night.

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.