Exaggerator takes home the Delta Jackpot
Exaggerator was able to hold off a late rally from Sunny Ridge to win the $1,000,000 Delta Jackpot Stakes at Delta Downs on Saturday. Sent off as the 4/5 favorite, Exaggerator (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) broke fourth early on but quickly went to the lead on the first turn under jockey Kent Desormeaux. Sunny Ridge made his move down the backstretch and those along with Whitmore made a line up of three as they came into the stretch. Exaggerator and Sunny Ridge eventually pulled away and Exaggerator was able to hold on by a neck over Sunny Ridge. Harlan Punch (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) rallied from off the pace to get up for third.
Jet Black Magic pulled off an upset in winning the $400,000 Delta Princess over heavily favored La Appassionata. La Appassionata (BetPTC.com Top Selection) stalked from just off the pace early and made her move to get to the lead as they ran into the final turn. But Jet Black Magic and Roberto Morales burst out of the pack pulled away from La Appassionata down the lane to beat that rival by four and a quarter lengths. Kyriaki took home the top honors in the Treasure Chest Stakes, rallying to catch Diva’s Diamond in the final strides. Kyriaki (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was fourth early on behind Diva’s Diamond (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who went to the lead. Diva’s Diamond tried to kick away in the stretch but Kyriaki was able to wear her down late to get up and win by a neck. In the Delta Mile it was Cougar Ridge who held off the favorite Departing to get the win. Cougar Ridge was the second choice in the wagering and made first run on the leaders at the quarter pole. Departing (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) came running late but fell three quarters of a length short as Cougar Ridge got the win.
Button Down wins as the favorite in the Cardinal Handicap
Button Down made a big move at the top of the lane and was able to score the win in the $100,000 Cardinal Handicap. Sent off as the 2/1 favorite, Button Down (BetPTC.com Top Selection) was seventh early on as Invading Humor went off to set the early pace. Invading Humor got through a half mile in a modest 48.85 seconds but Button Down swooped by him inside the quarter pole and kicked away. Button Down maintained a comfortable lead as numerous long shots chased him including 20/1 Lady Fog Horn who got up for second. Lacy (BetPTC.com Longshot) finished third at 23/1 to complete a $3,152 trifecta.
Bagg O’Day closed from last to first to win the Bet On Sunshine Stakes. Sent off at odds of 3/1, Bagg O’Day (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) had to overcome trouble on the turn but was still able to fly down the lane to get up and catch W.B. Smudge (BetPTC.com Longshot) in the final yards to get up and win by three quarters of a length.
Sky Flight flies home late to win the Artie Schiller Stakes
Sky Flight and Joel Rosario broke from the rail but had to go wide off the turn to rally up and win the $100,000 Artie Schiller Stakes. Sent off at odds of 5/1, Sky Flight (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) was fourth early on as Plainview set the early fractions. Aztec Brave sat just in behind Plainview early on and made a move to the lead as they came into mid-stretch. Aztec Brave kept on finding on the lead until Sky Flight came roaring home late to get up and win by a neck. Aztec Brave was second while race favorite Reload (BetPTC.com Top Selection) could only manage a third place finish.
Sudden Surprise (BetPTC.com Top Selection) won the Notebook Stakes in easy fashion as expected. Sent off at odds of just 1/5, Sudden Surprise took the lead as they ran on the turn and gradually edged away to an easy win. Dr. Shane got up for second ahead of Love That Jazz (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who ran third.