VINTON, LA—MAY 22, 2016— The $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (Gr. III) has become an important stop for 2-year-olds on their way to the Triple Crown series of races each year. On Saturday afternoon Exaggerator earned the distinction of becoming the first winner of the race to capture a Triple Crown event as he stormed home in the slop at Pimlico Race Course to take the Preakness Stakes (Gr. I).

Exaggerator, who is owned by Big Chief Racing, LLC, used a masterful ride by jockey Kent Desormeaux to gain victory in the Preakness. Although it was the Hall of Famer’s fourth trip to the Preakness winner’s circle it marked the first time his brother Keith had won a Triple Crown race. It was also the first time in history that siblings had teamed up as jockey and trainer to win the historic race which was being renewed for the 141st time.

The Desormeaux brothers have deep roots in Louisiana racing, having grown up in the Cajun country of Maurice. Their father, Harris, owned Acadiana Downs. Keith earned an Animal Science degree from Louisiana Tech University before deciding to become a trainer on the Maryland circuit, where younger brother Kent would become an instant success winning the Apprentice Eclipse Award in 1987 on his way to an outstanding career that now includes seven Triple Crown race victories.

Exaggerator is now under consideration for the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, which will take place at Belmont Park in New York on June 11. Should Exaggerator succeed again it would mark the first time a horse has won the last two legs of the Triple Crown after failing to win the Kentucky Derby since Afleet Alex in 2005. Exaggerator ran second in this year’s Kentucky Derby to Nyquist, who was heavily favored on Saturday afternoon but finished third.

Exaggerator’s resume not only includes a win in last year’s $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot, he also won the Saratoga Special (Gr. II) as a 2-year-old and the Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I) prior to his run in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The son of Racing Hall of Fame member Curlin has now amassed $2.97 million in total earnings and trails only Goldencents as the richest winner of the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot. Goldencents earned $3.04 million before retiring to stud last year at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.

The success of Exaggerator brings even more attention to Delta Downs’ signature event, which will take place for the 14th time on November 19, 2016. The $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot has been a regular fixture on the Road to the Kentucky Derby series of races that Churchill Downs implemented in 2013 and will most likely retain that distinction this year. The race has been a graded event since 2006.

“Our entire staff at Delta Downs and Boyd Gaming congratulate Exaggerator and his incredible team on their win in the Preakness Stakes,” said Steve Kuypers, Vice President and General Manager of Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel. “It was a great day for Thoroughbred racing in Louisiana and we are very proud of his accomplishment.”

For more information about the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot race and all the activities surrounding the event visit the website www.deltadownsjackpot.com.

Delta Downs is currently running their live Quarter Horse Season from that began April 22nd and runs through July 9th.

For more information about the current season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

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Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.