Delta Downs Set To Begin 2019-20 Thoroughbred Season Tuesday Night

By Don Stevens —-

THORNTON, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS RETURN AFTER RECORD SEASON –

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel will kick off its 2019-20 Thoroughbred season next week with live cards scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday night, October 8 through 12. After opening week, the track will go to its regular schedule of Wednesday through Saturday racing until the 84-day stand wraps up on February 29. First post time each evening is set for 4:55 pm Central Time.

During the new season, Delta Downs will offer a stakes schedule that features 26 races and a total of $2.245 million in total purse money.

The stakes activity kicks off on opening weekend with the $100,000 Magnolia on Friday, October 11 and the $100,000 Gold Cup on Saturday, October 12. Both races are restricted to Louisiana-bred horses with the Magnolia featuring 3-year-old and up fillies and mares.

The richest program of the year will happen on Saturday, February 8 when the track hosts another edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The exciting card will feature some of the best Louisiana-breds competing in 10 stakes races worth total purse money of $895,000. The headliner on Louisiana Premier Night is the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for 4-year-olds and up competing at 1-1/16 miles.

The leading horsemen from last year at Delta Downs are expected to vie for top honors once again this season. Jockey Tim Thornton, trainer Karl Broberg and owner End Zone Athletics Inc. each set records during the 2018-19 season and should vie for the top spots in their respective categories again this meeting.

Thornton won his first Delta Downs leading rider title last year by booting home 142 winners while establishing a new record for mount earnings in a single meet with $2,894,080. Broberg won his eighth consecutive local trainer title while setting new records for wins, 107, and barn earnings, $2,017,120. End Zone Athletics, which is made up of Broberg and Matt Johansen, won their seventh title while establishing new marks for wins, 50, and earnings, $873,545.

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracingcom. 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.