Rule Sets New Track Record

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009,
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RULE EYES DELTA JACKPOT AFTER TRACK RECORD PERFORMANCE IN JEAN LAFITTE

- DELTA JACKPOT PREVIEW NIGHT RECAP -

VINTON, LA. – Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher sent a horse named Rule to Delta Downs for Friday night’s $175,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes and he ended up with what could be the favorite for Boyd Gaming’s $750,000 Delta Jackpot Stakes (Grade III) on December 4.

Rule, a 2-year-old son of Roman Ruler, out of the Personal Flag mare Rockside, set a new one-mile track record of 1:37.45 over a fast track while defeating seven rivals in the Jean Lafitte. The dark bay or brown colt was ridden to victory by Corey Lanerie.

After breaking alertly from the outside post position, Lanerie guided his mount over to the rail and kept him in front running up the backstretch. When the field turned for home he asked him for his best and the response was a rousing stretch run that put him nine lengths in front of Grand Slam Andre at the finish line. Oak Motte finished another head back in third.

Rule, who was bred in Kentucky by his owner Win Star Farm, LLC, now becomes the early favorite for this year’s Delta Jackpot Stakes. Although Pletcher has started horses in the Jackpot in previous years, he’s never won the track’s richest offering.

The victory by Rule was his second win from just four starts. His only other tally came in a maiden event at Belmont Park on October 8. Rule earned $105,000 for his effort Friday night, which raised his fledgling bankroll to $146,700.

Sent off at odds of 3-1 by the wagering public, Rule returned $8 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Grand Slam Andre was worth $2.80 to place and $2.60 to show. Oak Motte paid $4 to show.

In other stakes activity on Friday at Delta Downs, Truth and Justice took the $125,000 My Trusty Cat Stakes with Joe Bravo in the saddle for trainer Kelly Breen. Truth and Justice is owned by George and Lori Hall.

Truth and Justice will most likely remain at Delta Downs and be pointed toward Boyd Gaming’s $500,000 Delta Princess Stakes (Grade III), which will also take place on Delta Jackpot Night.

The $250,000 Louisiana Jewel Stakes was won by Red Oak Stable’s Shezacrazygirl with jockey Joe Bravo up for trainer Gregory Sacco; the $250,000 Louisiana Legacy Stakes was annexed by Oak Leaf T.C. LP’s Productive Envoy with Diego Saenz in the saddle for conditioner Tony Richey. The Jewel and the Legacy are new stakes races this year and each features horses bred in the Bayou State.

And finally on Friday night the $60,000 B Connected Stakes was won by J. Phillip Mote’s Harlan Street with jockey Diego Saenz in the saddle for trainer James Hudson; and the $60,000 Lookout was taken by Heaven Trees’ Mayhaw, with jockey Carlos Gonzalez riding for trainer Andrew Leggio, Jr.

Delta Downs wraps up its race week on Saturday with a 10-race program that is set to begin at 6:10 p.m. following the simulcast of the Breeders’ Cup Classic from Oak Tree at Santa Anita.

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.

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