Delta Downs Releases 2021 American Quarter Horse Dates And Stakes Schedule

The exciting live Quarter Horse Racing season at Delta Downs kicks off May 10 and runs through July 31.

© Coady Photography

Live racing will generally take place on a Monday through Thursday schedule during the season with post times each day set for 3 pm. However, there will be two special Friday programs during the meet and four special Saturday cards to accommodate qualifying trials and major stakes races.

Fans can access the day-to-day schedule for the entire season by visiting deltadownsracing.com.

The new season kicks off with a pair of stakes races and trial activity. On opening day, May 10, the track will host the $20,000 Delta Dash Stakes and trials for this year’s $25,000-added Old South Derby. On May 11 the featured race will be the $50,000 Open Me a Corona Stakes and the trials for the $25,000-added Old South Futurity will also take place. There will be no live racing on Wednesday or Thursday of opening week.

The richest open-bred stakes races of the season will be run on Monday, July 19 when the $100,000-added Firecracker Derby (G3) is contested, and Tuesday, July 20 when the track hosts the $100,000 Firecracker Futurity (G2). Trials for the Derby will be held on Monday, June 28 and trials for the Futurity take place on Tuesday, June 29.

The Louisiana-breds will get a chance to shine several times during the meet. On Saturday, June 12 the $75,000-added Louisiana Laddie Futurity (RG2) and the $75,000-added Louisiana Lassie Futurity (RG2) take center stage. Trials for the Lassie are scheduled for Friday, May 21 and the Laddie trials are set for Saturday, May 22.

The richest race day of the year will happen on closing day, Saturday, July 31 when the track hosts another edition of Louisiana Showcase Day. On that afternoon fans will be treated to a program that includes eight Louisiana-bred stakes races including the richest race of the year, the $1 million-estimate Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).

Some of the nation’s top horsemen will be back at Delta Downs this season. Kenneth Roberts, Sr., who was honored with his first AQHA World Champion trainer award in 2017, will attempt to win his 10th leading trainer title at Delta Downs this season. Roberts will have to dethrone Trey Ellis, who edged out his rival to win his first local crown in 2020.

Jockey’s David Alvarez and Juan F. Garcia, Jr. tied for the leading jockey title last year and are expected to return to battle it out once again this season.

DELTA DOWNS STAKES SCHEDULE
Monday, May 10, 2021

• DELTA DASH • $20,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 250 Yards
  
• OPEN ME A CORONA - RG2 • $50,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 350 Yards
  
• OLD SOUTH DERBY Trials
  For 3-Year-Olds • 350 Yards

• OLD SOUTH FUTURITY Trials
  For 2-Year-Olds • 330 Yards

• LASSIE FUTURITY Trials
  For 2-Year-Old Fillies • 330 Yards
  

• LADDIE FUTURITY Trials
  For 2-Year-Old Colts & Geldings • 330 Yards
  

• DELTA 550 • $25,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 550 Yards

THE OLD SOUTH DERBY • $25,000 Added
For 3-Year-Olds • 350 Yards

• MOTHERS DAY • $25,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward Fillies And Mares • 350 Yards

• THE OLD SOUTH FUTURITY • $25,000 Added
  For 2-Year-Olds • 330 Yards

• VINTON STAKES • $50,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds • 400 Yards

• LADDIE FUTURITY - RG2 • $75,000 Added
  For 2-Year-Old Colts And Geldings • 330 Yards

• LASSIE FUTURITY - RG2 • $75,000 Added
  For 2-Year-Old Fillies • 330 Yards

• MISS POLLY CLASSIC - Grade II • $50,000G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 400 Yards

$25,000-G
• VIRGIL BOND • $25,000-G For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 870 Yards

• FIRECRACKER DERBY Trials
  For 3-Year-Olds • 400 Yards

• FIRECRACKER FUTURITY Trials
  For 2-Year-Olds • 350 Yards

• VALS FORTUNE - RG2 • $60,000-G For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 400 Yards
  

• DELTA DOWNS LOUISIANA BRED DERBY Trials
  For 3-Year-Olds • 400 Yards

• LEE BERWICK FUTURITY Trials
  For 2-Year-Olds • 350 Yards

• DEVELOP A PLAN - Grade 3 • $25,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 350 Yards

• FIRECRACKER DERBY - Grade 3 $100,000-A
  For 3-Year-Olds • 400 Yards

• FIRECRACKER FUTURITY - Grade 2 • $100,000-A
  For 2-Year-Olds • 350 Yards

• DELTA DOWNS LOUISIANA BRED DERBY - RG3 • $100,000-A
  For 3-Year-Olds • 400 Yards

• LEE BERWICK FUTURITY - RG1 • $200,000-A
  For 2-Year-Olds • 350 Yards

• FLASHY HEMP • $50,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward Fillies And Mares • 330 Yards

• LOUISIANA JUVENILE $75,000-G
  (Preference to the Fastest Non Qualifying times from the Lee Berwick Futurity Time Trials)
  For 2-Year-Olds • 350 Yards

• LOUISIANA STARTER • $40,000-G
  (Horses must have started for $5,000 or less in 20-21)
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 350 Yards

• LIVE OAK • $50,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 870 Yards

• LOUISIANA CLASSIC - RG2 • $75,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 440 Yards

• FLYING BREED STAKES • $50,000-G
  For 3-Year-Olds and Upward • 220 Yards

For more information about the season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.

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.