DELTA DOWNS KICKS OFF 2026-27 THOROUGHBRED SEASON FRIDAY NIGHT
EARLIER POST TIMES AND EXCITING PROMOTIONS AWAIT FANS THIS SEASON
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel will kick off its 2026-27 Thoroughbred season on Friday night, October 9. The track will begin live racing at 4:40 pm Central Time throughout the meeting, which runs through February 20. The new and earlier post time will allow more exposure for simulcast fans across the country.
After the two-day opening week of racing, Friday and Saturday, the track will go to a Wednesday through Saturday format for much of the season. Exceptions include the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
In addition to the new earlier post time this year, Delta Downs will serve up plenty of promotions for race fans in the OTB. Each Wednesday patrons will be treated to a free program. On Thursdays the track will serve one free hot dog per person and on Fridays thirsty racegoers can quench their thirst with a free domestic beer. To receive these gifts, patrons must swipe their Boyd Rewards card in the OTB kiosk and present their ticket at the bar or program stand. Must be 21 years or older.
The track will also roll out exciting bi-monthly promotions in the OTB for fans to participate in. Cash prizes will be awarded on the second and last Friday of each month during the 20-week meet.
During the season, Delta Downs will offer a stakes schedule that features 24 races worth more than $2 million in total purse money.
The stakes activity begins on opening weekend with a pair of Louisiana-bred contests, each carrying a purse of $100,000. Fans will be treated to the Magnolia on Friday, which is restricted to fillies and mares only. On Saturday night the Gold Cup will be the headliner, as Louisiana superstar Touchuponastar will attempt to win the race for the third time while trying to add to his lofty bankroll of more than $2 million. Each race will be contested at seven furlongs.
The richest program of the year will happen on Saturday, January 30 when the track hosts another edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The exciting card features the best Louisiana-breds competing in 10 stakes races worth total purse money of more than $1 million. The headliner on Louisiana Premier Night is the $150,000 Championship for 4-year-olds and up competing at 1-1/16 miles.
The battle for leading jockey this year should be a good one as familiar names like Jansen Melancon, Elio Berrera, Thomas Pompell and Tim Thornton are primed for a big meet. Thornton will attempt to win his sixth riding title this season. His most recent title came during the 2024-25 meeting when he rode 85 winners and is horses earned nearly $2 million.
Allen Landry will be gunning for his third straight leading trainer title at Delta Downs this season. Like Thornton, Landry spent his summer at Evangeline Downs where he saddled 53 winners, and his barn took home over $1.3 million in total earnings. That feat earned the longtime Louisiana conditioner the title of top trainer for 2026 in Opelousas.
For more information about racing at Delta Downs this season, including a detailed schedule and stakes dates, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information throughout the season with our social media accounts. The Facebook page is found at ‘Delta Downs Racing’, and the track’s X handle is @deltaracing.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, and chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center.