Favorite in control from start

VINTON, La. — Goldencents led from start to finish to win the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot on Saturday.

Goldencents, ridden by Kevin Krigger and trained by Doug O’Neill, beat Bern Identity by three-quarters of a length, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.89. The winner paid $7.20, $3.60 and $3.40 in the field of nine 2-year-olds.

Bern Identity returned $3 and $2.60, and Mylute paid $5.40 to show.

Goldencents, the morning-line 5-2 favorite, earned 10 points in the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series. Touch Magic earned four points, Mylute received two and Hightail one.

Goldencents, partially owned by Louisville basketball Coach Rick Pitino’s RAP Racing, was making his third career start.

“This is the best 2-year-old I have ever sat on,” Krigger said. “To come into this type of race with this type of horse, I have been waiting my entire career for a horse like this. This horse is very professional. He’s never rank and never does anything wrong.”

Goldencents finished second at the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park in October after winning his debut at Del Mar in September.

“I don’t know the exact path, but we will probably look somewhere at Santa Anita after the first of the year,” O’Neill said. “Maybe the Bob Lewis Stakes. This horse has been in New York and Louisiana in two of his three starts, so he travels great.”

Goldencents led out of the gate, followed by Heaven’s Runway, who finished seventh. Goldencents, though, did not falter, holding off late surges by Bern Identity and Mylute.