They’ll Try to Hit Jackpot

The second-richest race of the year for 2-year-olds on this continent will be run in what once would have seemed the unlikeliest of venues tonight.

A field of 10 is scheduled to run in the $1-million Delta Jackpot, a 1 1/16-mile race at Delta Downs in tiny Vinton, La.

A racing venue that was brought to life by the addition of slot machines, Delta Downs will be playing host to California-based riders Victor Espinoza, Alex Solis, David Flores and Iggy Puglisi, and trainers Bob Baffert, Doug O’Neill and Paul Aguirre.

Baffert will send out the James McIngvale-owned entry of Cooperation, who will be ridden by Solis, and Consecrate, with Flores aboard. Espinoza will ride the O’Neill-trained Perfect Moon, who won the Hollywood Juvenile Championship and Best Pal Stakes this year for owner Anabelle Stute and trainer Mel Stute.

Puglisi will be on longshot Rush Into Heaven, who is being wheeled back in five days by Aguirre. The son of Wild Rush was ninth in the grassy Generous Stakes six days ago at Hollywood Park.

The race also attracted three unbeatens.

Judiths Wild Rush and Joe Six Pack are perfect in three starts, and Fire Slam is two for two.

Race of the day: Today’s sixth at Hollywood Park, a $48,000 optional claimer at a mile on turf, is one of the best betting races of the meet and is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $75,246.

One for the road: Dalia Dolly makes her debut for owner Michael Gill and trainer Mark Shuman in today’s eighth at Aqueduct after having been claimed for $20,000 on Oct. 29 at Santa Anita. The lightly raced daughter of Out Of Place is in a spot where she can’t be claimed -- a positive sign -- and could be the speed in the $43,000 allowance at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Highly Tempting and Good Meeting in the fifth, Tradition Rocks, Thunder Bullet and Maranilla in the sixth, Cat Fighter and Life’s Pleasures in the seventh and Capitalina in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/52. Money: Previous day/meet total: $23.20/$258.40. Total money bet: $292.