February 7 🎓 Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Premier Night at Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino 🎓
Registration On Site at the Delta Downs February 7
(NEW ORLEANS, La.) - Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino is set to host Louisiana Premier Night on Saturday, February 7. The event will begin with a post time of 4:50 p.m. Central Time. Louisiana Premier Night kicks off the 2026 Louisiana bred championships racing series.
The richest program of the year will happen on Saturday, February 7 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 $995,000. The headliner on Louisiana Premier Night is the $150,000 Championship for 4-year-olds and up competing at 1-1/16 miles.
Louisiana Premier Night is highlighted by six championship stake races, offering a combined total of $995,000 in purse money. These races are exclusive to Louisiana-bred horses and are run in various divisions and distances. 
The championship races on Louisiana Premier Night are restricted to horses bred in Louisiana, reflecting the strength of the state’s breeding program. The Louisiana bred program is recognized as one of the leading breeding incentive award programs in the United States. This robust program has contributed to a remarkable increase in breeding activity, resulting in record numbers of mares bred and a more than 50 percent increase in 2025.
While the final running order is released near the event date, the night is expected to include the following key stakes races (actual purses for 2026 will be confirmed closer to the date, but are expected to be around these figures):
Louisiana Premier Night Championship ($150,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Distaff ($125,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Prince ($125,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Starlet ($125,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Sprint ($125,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Matron ($125,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Gentlemen Starter ($60,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Ladies Starter ($60,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Ragin Cajun Starter ($50,000 purse)
Louisiana Premier Night Bon Temps Starter ($50,000 purse)
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) is committed to supporting education by awarding two scholarships to college students. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000. These scholarships total $2,000, providing significant financial assistance to students pursuing higher education.
Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, highlights the electrifying atmosphere of Louisiana-bred championship racing. He explains that these championship events serve as a stage for some of the year's most exhilarating thoroughbred competitions, frequently influencing the Horse of the Year rankings among LTBA members. Showcasing the elite talents of Louisiana-bred racehorses, these races consistently deliver heart-pounding finishes and stand as a lively celebration of the state's vibrant thoroughbred racing community.
Requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
Must be a college student enrolled full-time in an Accredited College, University or Community College for Spring or Summer 2026
Scholarships will be awarded by random draw.
Must be in good standing with the college or university.
Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.
Must have college ID and government-issued ID.
Must have University ID number or Social Security number.
For Louisiana Premier Night:
Registration: 3:50 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. at the designated booth
Races begin: 4:50 p.m.
Drawing Time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race. The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages the best incentive program for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed in 1963, this has led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses. The thoroughbred racing and breeding industry generates over $2 billion and employs over 60,000 people in the state of Louisiana.
For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call (504) 947-4676.