Big names and big money will be present in Vinton today for a day of racing headlined by the 11th running of the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot.

The day will consist of 11 races, during which more than $2.2 million in purse money will be awarded.

The main event is the 11⁄16-mile Jackpot, a Grade III Stakes race with 10 2-year-olds.

The first post is at 1:15 p.m., with the Jackpot, the seventh race of the day, set to go off at 4:15 p.m.

Coastline is the favorite, with 5-2 morning-line odds. Coastline is trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan. Casse won last year’s Delta Mile Stakes with Prospective and his horse Turf War finished in a dead-heat win with Z Humor in the 2007 Jackpot.

No trainer or jockey has won the Jackpot twice.

Rise Up, the second choice with 3-1 odds, will be ridden by Gerrard Melancon, who won more than any other jockey at Delta Downs last season. Rise Up, trained by Tom Amoss, won the Jean Lafitte prep race at Delta Downs on Oct. 26.

The third favorite is Casiguapo, with 4-1 odds.

The winner will earn 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby series. Nine horses have gone on from the Jackpot to race in the Kentucky Derby, including three from last year’s race.

The field may be up against Mother Nature, as rain fell Thursday and Friday and a healthy dose of showers are forecast for today.

“We are extremely excited about how the Jackpot Day preparations are unfolding, with accomplished trainers like Dough O’Neill, Kenny McPeek and Tom Amoss taking part in our signature event,” said Delta Downs General Manager Steve Kuypers. “It should be a tremendous afternoon of top-notch racing.”

(American Press Archives)