Sabercat Stands Tall in Delta Jackpot

Trainer Steve Asmussen’s weekend to remember got even sweeter on Saturday, when Sabercat recovered from a troubled start for a sweeping, four-length win in Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot. Basmati finished second in what was one of the year’s richest races for 2-year-olds, while it was another 2 /2 lengths back in third to Longview Drive.

The Jackpot was the centerpiece of an eight-stakes program at Delta Downs. The races were worth a cumulative $2.1 million.

Asmussen, who on Friday night won his 6,000th race as a trainer, sent Sabercat in for the Jackpot off a six-length win in the $75,000 Garden State at Monmouth Park on Oct. 2. The horse broke out at the start Saturday, was bumped soundly, and had just one horse beat into the first turn as My Adonis and Drill went at it through an opening quarter in 22.11 seconds and a half-mile in 45.41.

Sabercat ($18) still had work to do when Drill took over through six furlongs in 1:11.60, with the eventual winner advancing between rivals past the quarter pole. Sabercat then angled out into the stretch and closed with good energy to cover the 1 1/16 miles, on a track rated fast in 1:46.62.