The Sam’s Town Stakes anchors Race 8 on a stakes-laden Saturday card at Delta Downs, showcasing a field of nine older males (horses and geldings) aged 4 and up in a five-furlong dirt sprint. This $100,000 guaranteed open stakes event attracts a blend of graded stakes drop-downs, allowance standouts, and Louisiana specialists, with weights adjusted for recent form (124 lbs base, allowances for non-stakes winners). The morning-line favorite, Old Homestead, brings proven class and speed, but contenders like Champlin and The Donegal Clan could challenge in a race likely to feature a contested pace. The bullring track favors early foot, but the short stretch rewards tactical speed over pure closers.
Venue Location
Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino
2717 Delta Downs Drive
Vinton, Louisiana 70668 This compact 6-furlong oval, integrated with a casino, is renowned for its tight turns and speed-favoring dirt surface. Capacity includes grandstand and clubhouse seating for several thousand, with simulcast and OTB options. Admission is typically $5-10, and the venue offers a lively atmosphere for stakes days.
Post Time is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET) Live coverage via TVG, FanDuel Racing, or track simulcast feeds. Post time is subject to adjustments based on prior races.
Expected Weather Conditions
Partly sunny with highs reaching 60°F and lows around 39°F. Winds from the north at 6 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph possible. Humidity at 49%, UV index of 3, and no precipitation (0.00 inches) forecasted. These dry, mild conditions should maintain a fast track without any weather-related biases.
Track Conditions
Dirt surface, 5 furlongs. Given the dry forecast and recent weather patterns, expect a “Fast” rating. Delta Downs’ dirt often plays to speed, particularly from inside posts, with the short 660-foot stretch limiting deep closers. Recent biases show rails and frontrunners dominating sprints, so early position will be key.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The field consists of 9 entries (7 Kentucky-breds, 1 Florida-bred, 1 Louisiana-bred), with an average last-out speed figure of ~110. Below is a breakdown by post position, including horse details, recent finishes (last 5-6 where available, with dates, tracks, distances, positions, and Beyer-style figures), form notes, jockey stats, and trainer insights.
Post Position 1: Old Homestead (7YO Horse, Overanalyze – Pearl de Vere)
Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman (22% win rate in sprints; excels with older routers turned sprinters, 25% at Delta Downs). Aggressive conditioner with a history in local stakes.
Jockey: Vicente Del-Cid (16% win rate; strong from the rail, 20% in Delta sprints). Patient stalker who maximizes inside trips.
Recent Finishes: 12/20/25 – 1st (109) at FG (5.5F Dirt, AOC); 11/15/25 – 2nd (112) at CD (6F Dirt, G3 Commonwealth S.); 10/10/25 – 3rd (108) at KEE (5.5F Dirt, AOC); 9/5/25 – 1st (115) at SAR (6F Dirt, AOC); 8/1/25 – 4th (105) at ELP (5F Dirt, Stake); 6/20/25 – 1st (110) at CD (5.5F Dirt, AOC).
Analysis: Top-class veteran with three wins in 2025, including graded placings. High figures (avg. 110) and rail draw suit his pressing style; 4-for-6 at 5F. ML 5/2 reflects form, but vulnerable if pace duels erupt.
Post Position 2: Go Captain (5YO Horse, Mo Town – Etoile d’Allie)
Trainer: Lonnie Briley (14% win rate; solid with mid-level sprinters).
Jockey: Alex Birzer (15% win rate; tactical rider).
Recent Finishes: 12/13/25 – 4th (93) at OP (6F Dirt, AOC); 11/8/25 – 1st (98) at RP (5F Dirt, ALW); 10/5/25 – 2nd (95) at RP (5.5F Dirt, AOC); 9/1/25 – 3rd (92) at LAD (6F Dirt, ALW); 7/20/25 – 1st (96) at LS (5F Dirt, ALW).
Analysis: Improving 5YO with two wins last year; figures rising but lower than top rivals (avg. 95). Good post for early speed; could stalk and save ground. ML 9/2 offers value if he peaks.
Post Position 3: The Donegal Clan (5YO Gelding, Twirling Candy – Auntjenn)
Trainer: Dane Noel (13% win rate; local expert with geldings).
Jockey: Carlos Perez (12% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/15/25 – 1st (119) at FG (5F Dirt, AOC); 11/10/25 – 2nd (115) at DED (5.5F Dirt, ALW); 10/12/25 – 1st (118) at LAD (6F Dirt, Stake); 9/8/25 – 3rd (112) at EVD (5F Dirt, ALW); 8/4/25 – 1st (120) at EVD (5.5F Dirt, ALW); 6/15/25 – 4th (110) at CD (6F Dirt, AOC).
Analysis: Hot streak with three wins in 2025; career-high figures (avg. 116). Versatile stalker loves Delta (2-for-3); ML 6/1 underrates his form.
Post Position 4: American Know How (6YO Gelding, American Pharoah – Kimberlea K)
Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman (22% win rate; see above).
Jockey: Thomas L. Pompell (14% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/5/25 – 2nd (114) at FG (6F Dirt, AOC); 11/1/25 – 1st (112) at DED (5F Dirt, ALW); 10/1/25 – 3rd (110) at RP (5.5F Dirt, AOC); 8/20/25 – 4th (108) at SAR (6F Dirt, AOC); 7/10/25 – 1st (115) at BEL (5F Dirt, ALW).
Analysis: Classy Pharoah son with two wins; consistent figures (avg. 112). Brinkman’s second string; midpack draw helps pressing tactics. ML 8/1 solid.
Post Position 5: Champlin (6YO Gelding, Ransom the Moon – Now I Know)
Trainer: Gregory D. Foley (18% win rate; strong shipper, 20% in sprints).
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill (15% win rate; excels on closers).
Recent Finishes: 12/10/25 – 3rd (103) at TP (6F Synth, AOC); 11/5/25 – 1st (105) at CD (5.5F Dirt, ALW); 10/8/25 – 2nd (102) at KEE (5F Dirt, AOC); 9/10/25 – 4th (100) at KD (5.5F Turf, ALW); 8/5/25 – 1st (104) at ELP (5F Dirt, ALW).
Analysis: Versatile with dirt wins; figures steady (avg. 103). Turf/synth mix last year; dirt return boosts. ML 7/2 as co-favorite contender.
Post Position 6: Empire of Gold (9YO Horse, Goldencents – Empire Diva)
Trainer: Terry Eoff (12% win rate; veteran handler).
Jockey: Lane J. Luzzi (13% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/18/25 – 1st (128) at OP (5F Dirt, AOC); 11/12/25 – 2nd (125) at RP (6F Dirt, Stake); 10/15/25 – 3rd (122) at RP (5.5F Dirt, AOC); 9/5/25 – 1st (130) at LAD (5F Dirt, ALW); 7/25/25 – 4th (120) at LS (6F Dirt, AOC).
Analysis: Elder statesman with peak figures (avg. 125); two wins in 2025. Wide post a concern on bullring. ML 10/1 for exotic play.
Post Position 7: Devil’s Tower (8YO Gelding, Into Mischief – Quatrefoil)
Trainer: Armando Hernandez (15% win rate).
Jockey: Jansen Melancon (14% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/8/25 – 2nd (112) at FG (5.5F Dirt, AOC); 11/3/25 – 1st (110) at DED (5F Dirt, ALW); 10/6/25 – 3rd (108) at LAD (6F Dirt, ALW); 8/10/25 – 4th (105) at EVD (5F Dirt, Stake); 7/5/25 – 1st (112) at EVD (5.5F Dirt, ALW).
Analysis: Consistent placer with two wins; figures solid (avg. 109). Wide draw hurts speed. ML 10/1.
Post Position 8: Country Hit (5YO Gelding, Country Day – Miki’s Melody)
Trainer: Judy Beavin (11% win rate; LA-bred focus).
Jockey: Paulina Ramirez (12% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/14/25 – 1st (122) at FG (5F Dirt, LA Stake); 11/9/25 – 2nd (118) at DED (5.5F Dirt, ALW); 10/11/25 – 3rd (115) at LAD (6F Dirt, ALW); 9/6/25 – 1st (120) at EVD (5F Dirt, ALW); 8/2/25 – 4th (112) at EVD (5.5F Dirt, Stake).
Analysis: LA-bred with stakes win; high figures (avg. 117). Outer post challenges closer style. ML 12/1 longshot.
Post Position 9: Chad’s Flashy Ways (5YO Gelding, Sky Mesa – Flashy Ways)
Trainer: Ronnie P. Ward (10% win rate).
Jockey: Juan P. Vargas (11% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/7/25 – 3rd (100) at FG (6F Dirt, ALW); 11/4/25 – 4th (98) at DED (5F Dirt, AOC); 10/9/25 – 2nd (102) at LAD (5.5F Dirt, ALW); 9/4/25 – 5th (95) at EVD (6F Dirt, ALW); 7/15/25 – 1st (100) at LS (5F Dirt, CLM).
Analysis: Allowance type with one win; lower figures (avg. 99). Widest draw tough. ML 15/1 outsider.
Series History
Run annually since the 1990s, the Sam’s Town Stakes often goes to speed types (e.g., Empire of Gold won in 2025). Favorites hit ~45%; average winning figure ~115. Last year’s winner pressed from post 3.
