VINTON, La., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD), owner of Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, announced today that the purse for its premier 2-year-old race has been raised to $1 million guaranteed. The race, now entitled the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (gr.III), will be run two weeks earlier this year on Saturday afternoon, November 20, with a post time of approximately 4 p.m. (CST).

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The significant purse increase, up from $750,000, widens the opportunity for the nation's top 2-year-olds to earn more graded stakes money to qualify for a starting position in the 2011 Kentucky Derby (gr.I).

"We are committed to making the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot one of the most important 2-year-old stakes on the national racing calendar," said Paul Chakmak, COO of Boyd Gaming. "The late November date and $1,000,000 purse will provide a path for a run at the 2011 Triple Crown."

The eighth running of the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot will be run at a mile and a sixteenth on a dirt surface and is the second-richest race in the country for 2-year-olds behind only the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr.I). Last year's Jackpot was won by WinStar Farm's Rule, trained by perennially top-ranked Todd Pletcher. This year Rule won the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr.III) and was third in the Florida Derby (gr.I). The owner-trainer connection went on to win the Kentucky Derby with Super Saver.

Delta Downs Jackpot Day will also feature one of the nation's richest races for juvenile fillies, the $500,000 Delta Princess (gr.III). The outstanding card of $2.4 million in total purses will also include two juvenile races for Louisiana bred horses: the $250,000 Delta Legacy for 2-year-old colts and the $250,000 Delta Jewel for 2-year-old fillies. Two open stakes are scheduled: the $125,000 Delta Mile for 3-year-olds and up, and the $125,000 Treasure Chest for 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares. The Sam's Town for 3-year-olds and the Orleans for 3-year-old fillies will be run at 7 furlongs with purses of $60,000 each.

About Boyd Gaming

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a leading diversified owner and operator of 16 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com.

SOURCE Boyd Gaming Corporation