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Delta Downs presents nine solid races on Saturday featuring two Louisiana-bred stakes events worth $100,000 each – the Louisiana Jewel Stakes for 2-year-old fillies in Race 6 and the Louisiana Legacy Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings in Race 8. The card offers a good mix of claiming races, allowance conditions, and maiden events across various distances from 5 furlongs to 1 mile.
The jockey colony is led by Vicente Del-Cid, who has 18 wins from 66 starts this meet, followed by Carlos Perez with 9 wins from 60 starts, and Timothy Thornton with 8 wins from 56 starts. Thomas Pompell brings veteran experience with over 3,000 career victories.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1 – 7 Furlong Claiming ($25,000)
Key Contenders: Gottotry Mischief draws the rail with Thomas Pompell aboard for trainer Tim Dixon. The 3-year-old filly is dropping into this claiming level and could benefit from the inside post. Paintbrush brings experience as a 6-year-old mare under jockey Joel Dominguez for trainer Joaquin Garza. Miss Maximus represents trainer Sturges Ducoing with Timothy Thornton riding.
Pace Analysis: This appears to be a moderate pace scenario with several horses likely to press early. The 7-furlong distance should favor horses with tactical speed.
Selection: Gottotry Mischief (1) to win, Paintbrush (2) to place, Miss Maximus (7) to show.
Race 2 – 5 Furlong Allowance
Key Contenders: Age of Reason for Brett Brinkman with Paco Lopez riding brings solid connections to this allowance company. Sister Swede has shown consistency for trainer Tanner Tracy. Beamer represents the same Brinkman stable with Thomas Pompell.
Pace Analysis: The 5-furlong sprint distance will favor early speed. Look for horses breaking alertly from the gate.
Selection: Age of Reason (4) to win, Sister Swede (2) to place, Beamer (1) to show.
Race 3 – 2-Year-Old Maiden Claiming
Key Contenders: This Louisiana-bred maiden claiming event features 11 juveniles making their debut or seeking their first victory. Guitar Man with Emanuel Nieves represents trainer Danny Pish. Bennie Bee draws inside under C.J. McMahon for Hance Robbins Jr.
Pace Analysis: First-time starters can be unpredictable, making pace analysis challenging in juvenile events.
Selection: Guitar Man (6) to win, Bennie Bee (3) to place, Mr Digits (9) to show.
Race 4 – $4,000 Claiming
Key Contenders: This bottom-level claiming event features older horses. Sarah’s Vision with Timothy Thornton has shown some recent form. Love a Fighter could benefit from the class drop.
Selection: Sarah’s Vision (2) to win, Dried Pepper (4) to place, Feathers Road (5) to show.
Race 5 – $10,000 Claiming Fillies & Mares
Key Contenders: Grace the Kingdom with Thomas Pompell represents trainer Tim Dixon. Tiff With Jimmy brings tactical speed for Joaquin Garza. Hard Spirits has shown consistency.
Selection: Grace the Kingdom (1) to win, Tiff With Jimmy (3) to place, Hard Spirits (2) to show.
Race 6 – Louisiana Jewel Stakes ($100,000)
The Louisiana Jewel Stakes is the feature race of the day, a $100,000 stakes event restricted to Louisiana-bred 2-year-old fillies going 7 furlongs on dirt. This black-type event carries significant prestige for Louisiana breeding and offers excellent wagering opportunities with a competitive seven-filly field.
Key Contenders
Appeal (3) represents the strongest win credentials in this field with jockey Timothy Thornton aboard for trainer Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez. Thornton has been riding well at the current meet with 8 wins from 56 starts, giving him solid momentum heading into this stakes assignment. The combination of an experienced jockey with proven stakes ability makes Appeal the logical favorite.
Liteupthenite (1) draws the rail post under jockey Elvin Gonzalez for trainer Jayde J. Gelner. Gelner has shown success with stakes-caliber horses, including recent performances with horses like Secret Faith in major events. The inside post position could be advantageous in a seven-horse field, allowing tactical flexibility early in the race. At 116 pounds, this filly receives a significant weight advantage over most of the field.
Swampy (2) represents trainer Samuel Breaux, who has been consistent throughout the meet with 48 wins from 304 starts in 2025. Jockey Kelvin Arana takes the mount on this Louisiana-bred filly who should benefit from Breaux’s experience in developing young horses. The trainer has shown particular skill with 2-year-olds throughout his career.
Secondary Contenders
Whisper Me a Smile (4) brings solid breeding credentials under jockey Julio Ramirez Jr. for trainer Benard Chatters. The connections have experience in Louisiana-bred stakes races, and this filly could improve significantly in her second or third career start.
Mo Sky (5) represents trainer Henry B. Johnson Jr. with Alexander Castillo riding. Johnson has shown success developing young Louisiana-bred horses and could have this filly ready for a breakthrough performance.
Longshot Considerations
Varinisi (7) gets the services of leading jockey Vicente Del-Cid, who leads the Delta Downs standings with 18 wins from 66 starts. Trainer Chasey Deville Pomier could have this filly primed for an upset at decent odds.
Sarah’s Rolling (6) under Casey Fusilier represents trainer Alan Klanfer and could provide value if the pace sets up favorably for a closing kick.
Pace Analysis
The 7-furlong distance should produce a moderate early pace with several fillies likely to show early speed. Appeal figures to be forwardly placed from the break, while Liteupthenite from the rail could press the early pace. The stretch run should favor horses with tactical speed who can respond when asked for their best effort.
With relatively inexperienced 2-year-olds, the pace scenario could develop in several ways depending on how the fillies break from the gate and settle into the race. The key will be positioning entering the far turn before the stretch drive.
Key Angles
The Louisiana breeding restriction creates a more level playing field among these fillies, as all are bred specifically for local conditions. The weight breaks favor Liteupthenite at 116 pounds, giving her a 2-pound advantage over most competitors.
Trainer patterns suggest that both Gelner and Breaux excel with young horses in stakes company, making their fillies particularly dangerous. The jockey factor strongly favors Appeal with Thornton’s experience and Del-Cid’s current hot streak with Varinisi.
Wagering Strategy
This race offers excellent exacta and trifecta opportunities due to the competitive nature of the field. Appeal deserves favoritism but may offer limited value as the probable favorite. Consider using Liteupthenite and Swampy in multiple combinations, as both represent strong trainer-jockey partnerships at potentially better odds.
A suggested approach includes boxing Appeal, Liteupthenite, and Swampy in exactas while adding Whisper Me a Smile for trifecta coverage. The stakes nature of this race makes it ideal for exotic wagers given the competitive balance among the top contenders.
Selections
Win: Appeal (3)
Place: Liteupthenite (1)
Show: Swampy (2)
The combination of Timothy Thornton’s stakes experience and proven connections gives Appeal the edge, while Liteupthenite’s rail draw and weight advantage make her a strong place contender.
Race 7 – 1 Mile Claiming
Key Contenders: Vodka Martini with Timothy Thornton stretches back to a mile. Painted Lad represents solid connections. Mor Jazz could improve with the distance.
Pace Analysis: The mile distance will test stamina and should favor closers in the stretch drive.
Selection: Vodka Martini (1) to win, Painted Lad (2) to place, Mor Jazz (4) to show.
Race 8 – Louisiana Legacy Stakes ($100,000)
The Louisiana Legacy Stakes is the second major feature race of the day, a $100,000 stakes event for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings going 7 furlongs on dirt. This black-type race represents the male counterpart to the earlier Louisiana Jewel Stakes and offers excellent opportunities for exotic wagering with a competitive seven-horse field.
Key Contenders
Two Good Old Guys (3) enters as the probable favorite with impressive credentials, having already won the Louisiana Cup Juvenile Stakes in 2025. Jockey Jansen Melancon takes the mount for trainer Allen Landry, and this gelding carries topweight at 122 pounds, indicating respect from the handicapper. The recent stakes victory demonstrates this horse’s ability to compete at the highest level of Louisiana-bred competition.
Mor Force (4) represents the powerful Jayde J. Gelner stable with C.J. McMahon aboard. Gelner has been successful with stakes horses throughout 2025, including recent success with horses like Mor Victory who won the Texas Horse Racing Hall Of Fame Stakes. This colt broke well and showed tactical speed in his recent victory at Evangeline Downs, demonstrating the ability to rate off the pace before delivering a strong stretch kick.
Golden Mane (6) gives trainer Jayde J. Gelner a powerful entry with leading jockey Vicente Del-Cid riding. Del-Cid leads the current Delta Downs standings with 18 wins from 66 starts, providing a significant jockey advantage. The trainer-jockey combination has been highly successful, and having two live contenders gives Gelner multiple chances to capture this prestigious stakes race.
Secondary Contenders
Mr Mo Money (7) brings the experience of veteran jockey Thomas L. Pompell and accomplished trainer Brett A. Brinkman. Brinkman has over 500 career wins and particular success with stakes horses, making this colt a serious threat at potentially generous odds. Pompell’s experience in stakes company could prove valuable in a competitive field.
Randemonium (1) represents trainer Benard Chatters with Edward Santiago riding. This colt has shown consistent form and could benefit from the rail post position if the pace develops favorably. Santiago has been riding well with an 11% win rate from 37 starts this meet.
Longshot Considerations
Scar Ship (2) gets the services of Devin H. Magnon for trainer Ricky Courville and receives a significant weight break at 116 pounds. The allowance could make this colt competitive at longer odds if the pace scenario develops favorably.
Luna C (5) represents trainer Sam B. David Jr. with Elio J. Barrera aboard. This gelding has shown some ability and could provide value in exotic wagers if improving from recent efforts.
Pace Analysis
The 7-furlong distance should produce tactical speed from several contenders. Mor Force has demonstrated the ability to show early speed before rating kindly, while Two Good Old Guys likely has the tactical speed to position favorably throughout the race. Golden Mane figures to be involved in the early pace scenario, potentially setting up a stretch battle between the top contenders.
The presence of multiple speed horses could create a moderate to strong early pace, potentially favoring horses with tactical speed who can respond when asked for their best effort in the stretch drive.
Key Angles
The Louisiana breeding restriction creates competitive balance, as all horses are bred specifically for local conditions and climate. The weight assignments favor Scar Ship at 116 pounds, giving him a 6-pound advantage over the topweights Two Good Old Guys and Mor Force.
Trainer Jayde J. Gelner’s double entry provides significant advantages, as both Mor Force and Golden Mane represent legitimate win chances with different tactical approaches. The stable has shown consistent success with stakes horses throughout 2025.
The jockey factor strongly favors Golden Mane with Del-Cid’s current hot streak, while McMahon brings fresh legs to Mor Force, and Melancon provides experience aboard Two Good Old Guys.
Wagering Strategy
This competitive stakes field offers excellent opportunities for exacta and trifecta combinations. Two Good Old Guys deserves favoritism based on recent stakes success, but the odds may be short. Consider using both Gelner entries (Mor Force and Golden Mane) in multiple combinations, as they represent strong value with proven trainer success.
A suggested approach includes boxing Two Good Old Guys, Mor Force, and Golden Mane in exactas while adding Mr Mo Money for trifecta coverage given Brinkman’s stakes expertise. The competitive nature of this field makes it ideal for exotic wagering.
Professional Connections Analysis
Jayde J. Gelner brings significant stakes experience to this race with two live contenders, having recently celebrated success with Mor Victory in Texas stakes company. Brett A. Brinkman’s presence with Mr Mo Money adds another layer of professional quality, as his stable has consistently produced stakes performers.
The combination of proven trainers, experienced jockeys, and competitive Louisiana-bred stock creates an excellent betting race with multiple viable win candidates and strong exotic wagering opportunities.
Selections
Win: Two Good Old Guys (3)
Place: Mor Force (4)
Show: Golden Mane (6)
The recent Louisiana Cup Juvenile Stakes victory gives Two Good Old Guys a significant edge, while the Gelner stable’s double entry provides strong place and show options with tactical advantages.
Race 9 – Maiden Claiming
Key Contenders: Beaudreaux with Thomas Pompell represents Brett Brinkman, an accomplished trainer with over 500 career wins. I Nita Warrior could break through. El Lagarto brings potential.
Selection: Beaudreaux (1) to win, I Nita Warrior (2) to place, El Lagarto (3) to show.
Jockey Notes
Vicente Del-Cid leads the standings with strong form this meet, earning 18 wins from 66 starts for an impressive 27% win rate. Timothy Thornton has multiple mounts today and represents solid value given his 8 wins from 56 starts. Thomas Pompell brings veteran experience with over 3,000 career victories and should be respected in all his mounts.
Trainer Notes
Samuel Breaux has been consistent with 48 wins from 304 starts in 2025. Brett Brinkman is a multiple graded stakes winning trainer with over 500 career victories. Jayde J. Gelner has shown success with stakes horses and represents strong connections.
Wagering Strategies
The two stakes races (Races 6 and 8) offer the best betting value with competitive fields and solid purse structures. Consider exacta and trifecta plays in these events. The maiden races can provide longshot opportunities, while the claiming events favor horses dropping in class or showing recent improvement.
