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Month: September 2017

HANDLE INCREASE OF 12% NOTED IN THE THE 2017 THOROUGHBRED RACING MEET AT HARRAH’S LOUISANA DOWNS

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Joey Foster, Gerardo Mora and Jorge Gomez Earn Titles

Bossier City, LA – The 2017 Thoroughbred racing season at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs concluded with a nine-race card on Wednesday, September 27.  The 84-day meet, which got underway on May 6, wrapped with positive gains in handle and officials were pleased with the transition to a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday racing schedule.

Louisiana Downs handled $67 million throughout the meet, an increase of 12% in handle from the 2016 live Thoroughbred racing season.

“We are grateful for the continued support of our horsemen throughout the 2017 meet,” said Trent McIntosh, Louisiana Downs assistant general manager. “The change in our schedule was well received by horseplayers on track and by simulcast fans watching and wagering across the country.”

Sunny skies graced both major racing events, the Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 5 and Super Derby Day on Saturday, September 9.  Flurry Racing Stables Mr. Misunderstood captured both the Prelude and $200,000 Super Derby and will make his next start in Saturday’s   Jefferson Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs, according to trainer Brad Cox.             

Joey Foster Repeats as Leading Trainer

Joey Foster has been firing on all cylinders this meet and defended his title in commanding fashion. The Vinton, Louisiana resident topped all conditioners with 301 starters and a record of 68 wins, 55 seconds and 48 third-place finishes. Foster was the meet’s top trainer last year with 41 wins, after finished third in the standings in 2015 with 39 wins.  His stakes winners this year included Big Game Baby, in the $75,000 Elge Rasberry and Illusionofreality, who kept her four-race win streak alive in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff.

“I am very blessed to have this success,” said Foster. “This meet has been great for me and my owners. Both track surfaces are well maintained and safe. I have to commend (track superintendent) Billy McKeever for doing a super job. To me, Louisiana Downs is the prettiest track in the state and I am grateful to have won the title again this year.”

H.B. Johnson finished in second place with 27 wins. Ronnie Ward saddled 18 winners and Sarah Delany rounded out the top four conditioners with 16 wins.

 

Gerardo Mora Wins His First Louisiana Downs Leading Rider Title

Gerardo Mora made the most of his second year competing in Bossier City topping a very competitive jockey colony to emerge as the meet’s top rider. The 25-year-old jockey is respected for his well-timed finishes and versatility in mastering both the turf and main track and finished the meet with a record of 477 starts, 77 wins, 81 seconds and 65 thirds.

Born in Palestine, Texas, Mora had family ties to racing as his uncle, Adrian Ramos, was a veteran rider on the Louisiana and Texas circuit. He made his debut at Sam Houston Race Park as an apprentice in 2011 and earned two leading rider titles there as well as Retama Park. Mora was third in the standings last year, but had plenty of business this year and was well represented by his agent, Ronald Ardoin, who was one of the most successful jockeys in Louisiana.

“I want to thank each of the trainers, owners for believing in me,” said Mora. “Last year was a good start for me at Louisiana Downs. When I started the meet, horsemen knew me and gave me a lot of opportunities and Ronald did a great job with my book. He’s the man!” 

Aubrie Green continued her strong showing, beginning the meet as an apprentice, but losing no business once she lost her bug. She finished in second place with 64 trips to the winner’s circle.Richard Eramia, who was on top for much of the season before he departed to ride at Remington Park, was third with 59 victories.  Jose Guerrero rounded out the top four with 57 wins.

Next up for Mora is Delta Downs for their meet which gets underway on October 18.

 

Jorge Gomez Honored as Leading Owner  

The very tight battle for leading owner honors concluded on the final day of the meet with Jorge Gomez finishing on top with 12 wins.  Horses owned by Gomez made 114 starts, with Ty Diesel, Blue Choice and Concho posting multiple wins.  This was the first leading owner title for Gomez, who resides in Bossier City, Louisiana and will head to Fair Grounds next.

“I want to thank my crew and my jockey, Alexander Castillo,” said Gomez. “They each helped me in winning my first leading owner title.”

Red Rose Racing followed closely with 11 wins and Patti Turner, Beverly Burress, Jamie C.  Pastor, William K. Harris, Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., Terrell Jarret, Jr. and Anthony Faulk each won nine races each in the 2017 Thoroughbred meet.

About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

For further information, please contact:

Trent McIntosh  |  Assistant General Manager
O 318-752-6980
8000 East Texas Street | Bossier City, LA 71111
www.caesars.com

October Calendar of Events

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 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association would like to share the following list of dates of interest to Louisiana horsemen and women.

Brought to you by Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Whispering Oaks Farm, and Equine Sales Company. Click images to link to more information

Oct 1

  • 2017-18 Membership Dues are now past due. Fees are now $85.

Oct 2

  • Louisiana Champions Day Early Bird Nominations are due

Oct.  4

  • Fair Grounds, Deadline for Stall Application

Oct 10

  • LTBA Board of Directors Meeting, 12:00 P.M. Prejeans, Carencro

Oct 15

Oct 16

  • Louisiana Horse Stallion Register Stallion Submissions are due
  • Louisiana Horse Stallion Register Farm and Service Directory submissions are due along with payment

Oct 18

  • Delta Downs 2017-18 Thoroughbred Meet opens. Wednesdays-Saturdays.
    Post Time 5:30
  • Fair Grounds, Barn Area Opens
  • Fair Grounds, Training Begins

Oct.  20

  • Magnolia S., Delta Downs

Oct.  21

  • Gold Cup, Delta Downs

Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach more than 3,000 readers.

Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for cost and availability.

Do you have a date pertaining to Louisiana-breds that you would like included in an upcoming calendar? Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.comfor consideration.

 

Any questions or need more info call

Roger A. Heitzmann III, Secretary/Treasurer

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

504-947-4676, 800-772-1195

Industry Groups Working to Send Aid to Camarero

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Plan is to set up base at Hipodromo Camarero.

 

Various equine industry groups are working together with the Humane Society of the United States to form a plan to provide aid to horses in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hit the island Sept. 20.

Marty Irby, senior advisor of equine protection and rural affairs for HSUS, said Sept. 26 that the current plan is to make Hipodromo Camarero the base for receiving aid. Groups involved include the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, The Jockey Club, and the United States Equestrian Federation. Irby said the groups will reconvene Sept. 28 to discuss further plans.

“We all sort of have a list of tasks that we’re working on to help basically move feed, hay, and supplies into the region and specifically sort of make—and this is subject to the proper approvals—the track in San Juan (Camarero) a home base, to first help there and afterward others (around the island) who may need supplies and things,” Irby said.

“The AAEP said that they have access to a large amount of supplies … HSUS has about 1,100 bales of hay that’s ready to go anytime,” he added. “We’re just waiting to hear back from the guys who are handling the flight arrangements because there’s an issue of proper chain of command and paperwork and there’s also an issue of debris and whether they can land the plane. We’re trying to work through those things, but everyone on every end is willing to move forward, it’s just working through the logistics.

“It is really great to see everybody from all of these organizations chip in and go head first and try to do everything they can to help.”
 

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/223810/industry-groups-working-to-send-aid-to-camarero

Bull Market for Yearlings in 2017

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Now that Keeneland’s marathon September yearling sale is complete, a clear trend has emerged showing greater demand in a smaller marketplace when compared with the same period a year ago.

With 2,555 horses sold during the 12-day Keeneland auction for a total of $307,845,400, the average price of $120,487 and $57,000 median were both records for the world’s largest yearling sale. The gross, average, and median prices represented gains of 12.8%, 23.2%, and 42.5%, respectively, over 2016 levels.

Yearling-only auctions and mixed sales through Sept. 25, 2017, have offered 6,747 yearlings, of which 4,890 sold for gross receipts of $425.9 million, according to data compiled by BloodHorse MarketWatch. The gross represents a 10.2% gain over the $386.5 million paid for 5,586 from 7,906 offered through the first nine months of 2016 at comparable auctions.

The number offered at the 23 sales where yearlings changed hands so far this year has declined by 14.6% and the total sold is down 12.4%.

Fasig-Tipton’s boutique Saratoga selected yearling sale produced the second-highest gross and highest average and median prices, with all three increasing by double-digit percentages this year. Fasig-Tipton reported 156 yearlings sold from 194 through the ring, with gross receipts of $52.995 million, 16.3% over the $45.570 million total paid for 156 of the 203 offered a year ago. The Saratoga sale average also increased 16.3% to $339,712 from $292,115 in 2016, and the median price of $300,000 was 26.3% higher than the previous year’s median of $237,500.

The accompanying table shows the top five equine auctions this year ranked by gross receipts and comparisons with 2016.

Besides the overall gains in cumulative gross, average, and median prices for all yearlings sold to date, there has been a significant improvement in the number sold at the top and upper-middle parts of the market.

Sixteen yearlings were sold for seven figures this year, compared with 11 through the first nine months of 2016. A total of 151 yearlings attracted final bids of $500,000 or more compared with 116 yearlings sold at that level at the same point a year ago. Within the upper-middle market price range of $175,000-$249,999, there were 252 yearlings sold this year, compared with 243 in 2016.

Meanwhile at the other end of the spectrum, 2,927 yearlings sold below $50,000 in 2017, compared with 3,698 in 2016.

Three major sales companies have yearling sales scheduled for next month, beginning with the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale Oct. 2-3. That will be followed by Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Oct. 10-12 selected and open yearling sale, Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall sale Oct. 16,  the Barretts fall yearling and horses of all ages sale Oct. 17, and the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale from Oct. 23-26.

 

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/223785/bull-market-for-yearlings-in-2017

Horseracing Wins As Treasury/IRS Issue Updated Tax Rules

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The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today announced that they will formally adopt modernized regulations regarding the withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel proceeds. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has long pressed for these updated regulations that will allow horseplayers to keep more of their winnings, thereby increasing the amount wagered on U.S. pari-mutuel racing by as much as 10 percent annually, or upwards of $1 billion, according to independent estimates. The new rules were posted late Monday afternoon as a Public Inspection Document. They are scheduled to be officially published in Wednesday’s edition of the Federal Register and will go into full effect by no later than Nov. 14, giving racing associations, totalisator companies, and advance deposit wagering (ADW) operators up to 45 days to implement these important changes; however, some may elect to start as soon as Thursday.

“These landmark U.S. Treasury regulations will have an enormously positive impact on horseplayers, the racing industry, and the federal government,” said NTRA President & CEO Alex Waldrop. “I am extremely proud of the NTRA’s legislative team for spearheading this effort, which will prove to be among the most meaningful regulatory advances made by our industry in decades. The results of this much-needed measure will be horseplayers keeping more of their winnings, racetracks generating more pari-mutuel handle, and government collecting additional tax revenue. This is a sure bet where everyone wins!”

Added Waldrop: “This day would never have come without the persistence of Thoroughbred racing’s friends in Congress, especially Rep. John Yarmuth of Kentucky, Rep. Pat Meehan of Pennsylvania, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and our many bipartisan supporters on Capitol Hill. We also are indebted to the industry stakeholders and thousands of customers of Thoroughbred racing who signed our petition or submitted public comments in favor of these changes.”

Under the new regulations, the IRS will consider the inclusion of a bettor’s entire investment in a single pari-mutuel pool when determining the amount reported or withheld for tax purposes, as opposed to only the amount wagered on the correct result.

For example, the amount wagered by a Pick Six player who hits with one of 140 combinations on a $1-minimum wager now will be $140, which is the total amount bet into the Pick Six pool. This more accurate calculation will remove the significant reporting and withholding obligations on horseplayers and the unnecessary paperwork for the IRS that was a result of the prior rule that used only the $1 bet on the single winning combination as the amount wagered.

“This is a major victory for all pari-mutuel wagering customers,” said Judy Wagner, the Horseplayers’ Representative on the NTRA Board of Directors and winner of the 2001 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC). “It would not have occurred without the leadership of the NTRA and the support of thousands of horseplayers who actively participated in the process to modernize these regulations.”

The amended regulations, advocated by the NTRA and its legislative team, define the “amount of the wager” to include the entire amount wagered into a specific pari-mutuel pool by an individual – not just the winning base unit as is the case today – so long as all wagers made into a specific pool by an individual are made on a single totalisator ticket if the wager is placed onsite. The modernized regulations will have the same positive results for ADW customers and will not impact how those wagers are currently made.

View the full text of the new rule under section 3402(q) of the Internal Revenue Code here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2017-20720.pdf.

The NTRA has pushed for the modernization of pari-mutuel withholding and reporting rules for several years. As more and more pari-mutuel wagering was directed toward exotic wagering pools it become clear that the tax rules were becoming an increasing and unfair burden on horseplayers as those outdated rules significantly increased the incidence of winning tickets subject to withholding and reporting. These new rules are the product of all the work the NTRA, and other industry stakeholders, undertook with Congressional representatives and Treasury and IRS officials.

“This represents a great triumph by the entire NTRA legislative team, including the bipartisan Horse PAC, which played an instrumental role in the passage of these regulations that will benefit all segments of the industry,” said Horse PAC chairman William S. (Bill) Farish. “We thank the hundreds of individual stakeholders who contribute to Horse PAC; they played a major role in today’s victory.”

Waldrop noted that the NTRA has been working behind the scenes since January with industry groups – including totalisator companies, ADWs, and racing organizations – to ensure a smooth implementation for customers.

“For the industry to fully realize the benefits of modernized regulations for pari-mutuel withholding and reporting it is essential that we deliver a seamless transition to our customers,” he said. “We are optimistic that the industry will be fully prepared to institute these landmark changes by no later than November 14.”

About the NTRA
The NTRA, based in Lexington, Ky., is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests and thousands of individual stakeholders consisting of horseplayers, racetrack operators, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity, welfare and integrity of Thoroughbred racing through consensus-based leadership, legislative advocacy, safety and integrity initiatives, fan engagement and corporate partner development. The NTRA owns and manages the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance; NTRA.com; the Eclipse Awards; the National Handicapping Championship; NTRA Advantage, a corporate partner sales and sponsorship program; and Horse PAC®, a federal political action committee. NTRA press releases appear on NTRA.com, Twitter (@ntra) and Facebook (facebook.com/1NTRA).

BIG GAME BABY TAKES THE $75,000 ELGE RASBERRY AND JACK SNIPE’S SCORES THE UPSET IN THE$75,000 A. L. (RED) ERWIN AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS

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Bossier City, LA – The final two stakes of the Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs, the $75,000 Elge Rasberry and the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin, were run on Saturday, September 23. Both stakes were written for 3-year-old graduates of the Louisiana-bred Sale and were run at the distance of one mile on the Franks Turf Course.

Big Game Baby Edges Out Bermuda Star in the $75,000 Elge Rasberry

Big Game Baby
Big Game Baby with Gerardo Mora aboard wins the 23rd running of Elge Rasberry at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Samuel Switalski

 

Elge Rasberry Stakes
Louisiana Downs, 9-23-17, 1 mile (turf)
3YO Louisiana Bred Sales Graduate Fillies, Purse $75,000

BIG GAME BABY
Gold Tribute – Hot Talent
Breeder: Ronald P. Webb
Owner: Eat My Dust LLC
Trainer: Joseph M. Foster
Jockey: Gerardo Mora

2nd
Bermuda Star
Star Guitar–Bermuda Bride
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Our Sweet Sydni
Into Mischief–Our Dalila
Breeder: Brett A. Brinkman
Owner: Ironheart Farms
Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

 

The 23rd running of the $75,000 Elge Rasberry drew a field of 12 fillies.  Big Game Baby, a daughter of Gold Tribute, owned by Eat My Dust LLC, made her third trip to the winner’s circle and her first stakes win, closing gamely under leading rider Gerardo Mora.

 The early pace was set by Swifty Cat and jockey Emanuel Nieves, who covered the first quarter-mile in :25.25 and the half-mile in :49.79. Both Big Game Baby and heavy favorite Bermuda Star began to quicken strides as they rounded the final turn.  Jockey Diego Saenz aboard Bermuda Star, lodged a claim of foul against Mora as they bumped nearing the wire, but the stewards took no action. Big Game Baby covered one-mile in 1.38.02 over a firm turf course.

This was just the second turf start for runner-up Bermuda Star, owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc and trained by Victor Arceneaux., The filly by Star Guitar had won three starts this year, including the Equine Sales Oaks on May 5 at Evangeline Downs.  Our Sweet Syndi ridden by Gerard Melancon ran third and Swifty Cat completed the superfecta.

Bred by Ronald P. Webb, Big Game Baby is trained by Joey Foster, who is the top conditioner this season at the Bossier City racetrack.  She has made five starts this meet, running fifth in the Opelousas Stakes on August 5. Sent off at odds of 6-1, the gray filly returned $14.00 for the win and earned $45,000 for the Elge Rasberry victory.

 

Jack Snipe’s Pulls the Upset in the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin

Jack Snipe's
Jack Snipe’s with Jansen Melancon aboard wins the 23rd running of the A.L. (Red) Erwin Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

 

A.L. (Red) Erwin
Louisiana Downs, 9-23-17, 1 mile (turf)
3YO Louisiana Bred Sales Graduates, Purse $75,000

JACK SNIPE’S
Half Ours–Rhodelia
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud Llc
Owner: Jeff Drown and Gary Scherer
Trainer: Gary M. Scherer
Jockey:  Jansen Melancon

2nd
Fee Do
Forefathers–Snake Proof
Breeder: Leonard Warf
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Emanuel Nieves

3rd
Culp’s Hill
Eddington–Pussy Footin
Breeder: Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds, LLC
Owner: Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: Joseph M. Foster
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

Jack Snipe’s made the most of his turf stakes debut, defeating a field of 10 colts and geldings in the second feature of the afternoon, the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin.

Owned by Jeff Drown and Gary Scherer, the son of Half Ours won the six-furlong Louisiana Futurity last December at Fair Grounds. He entered today’s stakes off a tenth-place finish in the Mystic Lake Derby over a yielding turf course at Canterbury Park on August 17.  Whether the firm turf or pace scenario made the difference, he rallied in the final stages of the race at odds of 13-1. Jockey Jansen Melancon picked up the mount from Denny Velazquez and delivered a well-timed ride in a final time of 1.35.75.

 

The early fractions of :23.84 and :47.05 were set by Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds LLC’s

​ 

homebred Culp’s Hill under jockey Tim Thornton. Trained by Foster, the son of Eddington was

​ ​

looking for his fourth victory of the meet. He held for third-place as Fee Do edged him for the

​

place. Owned by Keith Plaisance, Fee Do, a gelded son of Forefathers made his stakes debut with

​ ​

jockey Emanuel Nievesaboard.  Magic Vow, the high-earner in the field saved ground on the

​

final turn to finish fourth.

This was the first win in four starts this year for Jack Snipe’s, who is trained by Scherer. He rewarded his supporters with a win payout of $29.80.

The Jockey Club Releases 2016 Breeding Statistics

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The Jockey Club Releases 2016 Breeding Statistics
The Jockey Club reported, September 21, that 1,863 stallions covered 36,045 mares in North America during 2016, according to statistics compiled through Sept. 13, 2017. These breedings have resulted in 21,624 live foals of 2017 being reported to The Jockey Club on Live Foal Reports.

The Jockey Club estimates that the number of live foals reported so far is approximately 90 percent complete. The reporting of live foals of 2017 is down 1.7 percent from last year at this time when The Jockey Club had received reports for 21,991 live foals of 2016.

In addition to the 21,624 live foals of 2017 reported through Sept. 13, The Jockey Club also received 2,467 No Foal Reports for the 2017 foaling season. Ultimately, the 2017 registered foal crop is projected to reach 22,500.

The number of stallions declined 3.1 percent from the 1,923 reported for 2015 at this time last year, while the number of mares bred declined 2.5 percent from the 36,964 reported for 2015.

The 2016 breeding statistics are available alphabetically by stallion name through the Resources – Fact Book link on The Jockey Club homepage at jockeyclub.com.

“It is important to note that the live foals reported in The Jockey Club breeding statistics are by conception area and do not represent the state in which a foal was born,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director, The Jockey Club. “Breeding statistics also are not a representation of a stallion’s fertility record.”

Kentucky annually leads all states and provinces in terms of Thoroughbred breeding activity. Kentucky-based stallions accounted for 49.7 percent of the mares reported bred in North America in 2016 and 57.3 percent of the live foals reported for 2017.

The 17,912 mares reported bred to 245 Kentucky stallions in 2016 have produced 12,396 live foals, a 1.7 percent increase on the 12,184 Kentucky-sired live foals of 2016 reported at this time last year. The number of mares reported bred to Kentucky stallions in 2016 increased 1.8 percent compared to the 17,598 reported for 2015 at this time last year.

Among the 10 states and provinces with the most mares covered in 2016, only three produced more live foals in 2017 than in 2016 as reported at this time last year: Kentucky, California, and Maryland. The following table shows the 10 states and provinces, ranked by number of state/province-sired live foals of 2017 reported through Sept. 13, 2017.

 

2016
Mares Bred

2016
Live Foals

2017
Live Foals

Percent Change
in Live Foals
Kentucky

17,912

12,184

12,396

1.7%
California

2,631

1,720

1,726

0.3%
Florida

2,841

1,577

1,514

-4.0%
New York

1,526

940

912

-3.0%
Louisiana

1,507

893

799

-10.5%
Maryland

929

411

500

21.7%
Ontario

865

447

397

-11.2%
New Mexico

869

452

370

-18.1%
Oklahoma

826

361

341

-5.5%
Pennsylvania

547

349

289

-17.2%

 

The statistics include 394 progeny of stallions standing in North America but foaled abroad, as reported by foreign stud book authorities at the time of publication.

 

Country

Live Foals

 Country

Live Foals
Saudi Arabia

115

 India

7
Republic of Korea

110

 Argentina

6
Great Britain

35

 Russia

4
Japan

32

 Venezuela

2
Ireland

31

 Australia

1
Philippines

27

 Dominican Republic

1
Mexico

12

 Ecuador

1
Chile

9

 France

1

 

The report also includes 92 mares bred to 25 stallions in North America on Southern Hemisphere time; the majority of these mares have not foaled.

As in years past, a report of mares bred will be released in October.

Fair Grounds to Host 57 Stakes Worth $6.69 Million in 146th Thoroughbred Season

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Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a comprehensive stakes schedule with 57 stakes worth more than $6.69 million for the 146th Thoroughbred racing season at the New Orleans oval. Opening Day is slated for Saturday, Nov. 18 and will include four overnight stakes.

The stakes schedule will mirror several past seasons with a major focus on big event days, including the meet’s centerpiece, Louisiana Derby Day, which will again include eight stakes worth $2.36 million, highlighted by the 105thrunning of the Grade II $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby on March 24. The Grade II $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, the Grade II $400,000 New Orleans Handicap and the Grade II $300,000 Muniz Memorial will also be run the same day along with four additional undercard stakes.

Leading into the Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds will also host a pair of major stakes days designed as part of The Road to the Kentucky Derby, beginning with Road to the Derby Kickoff Day presented by Hotel Monteleone on Jan. 13. The Grade III $200,000 Lecomte Stakes will be the first race on the Fair Grounds stakes schedule to offer qualifying points for the Grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. The Grade III $125,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes will complement the afternoon’s action alongside three other undercard stakes.

Five weeks later on Feb. 17, the track will host Louisiana Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Ford Lincoln. The day’s highlight will be the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes that will offer qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby and will also include the Grade II $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes, the Grade III $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap and the Grade III $150,000 Fair Grounds Handicap.

Another mainstay on the Fair Grounds Stakes Schedule, Louisiana Champions Day presented by Acadian Ambulance Service, will be held for the 27th time on Dec. 9. The day will feature 11 stakes races across varying divisions restricted to Louisiana-breds worth a total of $1.1 million.

Two new overnight stakes races will be held in honor of local mainstays who passed away in 2017. The $50,000 Richard R. Scherer Memorial Overnight Stakes will be held Dec. 2 for fillies and mares at 5½ furlongs on the turf, and the Nelson J. Menard Memorial Overnight Stakes will be run at the same distance for older fillies and mares on March 10.

The complete 2017-2018 stakes schedule can be found at: https://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/racing-wagering/stakes.

FINAL TWO STAKES OF THE HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS 2017 THOROUGHBRED RACING SEASON TO BE RUN ON SATURDAY

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Bossier City, LA –The final two stakes of the Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs, the $75,000 Elge Rasberry and the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin, will be run on Saturday, September 23. Both stakes are written for 3-year-old graduates of the Louisiana-bred Sale and will be run at the distance of one mile on the Franks Turf Course.

 

Bermuda Star Leads the Field in the $75,000 Elge Rasberry

The 23rd running of the $75,000 Elge Rasberry drew a field of 12 fillies. Bermuda Star, owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc., is the 6-5 morning line favorite. Trained by Victor Arceneaux, she has won three of her six starts this year, most notably the Equine Sales Oaks on May 5 at Evangeline Downs. Sired by Star Guitar, the gray filly will be ridden by Diego Saenz, who piloted three stakes winners on Super Derby Day.

“She’s only run once on the turf, but won the race easily,” said Arceneaux. “Diego didn’t even push her.”

Chases Dixie Belle, winner of the 2016 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies for owner Bobby Salome, is also entered. The daughter of My Pal Charlie prepped for this stakes in an allowance on September 11. Trainer Charles Hukill will give a leg up to jockey Aubrie Green.  She will break from post position six as the 4-1 second choice.

Louisiana Downs leading trainer Joey Foster will saddle Big Game Baby, a Gold Tribute filly who has two wins this meet. Owned by Eat My Dust LLC, Big Game Baby ran fifth in the Opelousas Stakes on Louisiana Cup Day. Gerardo Mora, the meet’s top jockey, has the call.

The Elge Rasberry will run as race 5, The field, in post position order, with riders, from the rail is:

Swifty Cat, Emanuel Nieves; Bless d’Cat, Williams Naupac; Tinkerbella, Tim Thornton; Sabe Marcelete, Kevin Smith; Our Sweet Syndi, Gerard Melancon; Chases Dixie Belle, Aubrie Green; Debbyz Wingz, Jose Guerrero; Casual Cool, Jansen Melancon; Blessed Song, Alfredo Contreras; Bermuda Star, Diego Saenz and Big Game Baby, Gerardo Mora.

 

Magic Vow Gives Turf Another Try in the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin

Colts and geldings will compete in the second feature of the afternoon, the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin.

Trainer Allen Landry conditions Magic Vow, the high-earner in the 12-horse field. The son of Private Vow out of the Broad Brush mare Whitewashed has earned $206,500 for Brittlyn Stable, Inc. This will be the second turf start for the bay gelding, who ran a game third to Super Derby champion Mr. Misunderstood in the August 5 Super Derby Prelude.

“There’s no shame in running third to a horse who is undefeated on the turf,” said Landry. “Boo Boo” (jockey Kerwin Clark) said he ran a little green the first time on the grass, but thinks he will improve on Saturday. He fits him well.”

Landry ran second in last year’s edition of the stakes with He’s a Lady Tamer, who left the gates at odds of 26-1 with jockey Steve Bourque in the irons.

Fee Do brings a three-race win streak into this one-mile turf stakes. Owned by Keith Plaisance, the gelded son of Forefathers has risen up the ranks from claiming to the allowance level nicely for trainer Edwin J. Johnston. The second choice in the morning line, at 7-2, will break from post position 11 in his stakes debut with jockey Emanuel Nieves aboard.

Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds LLC’s homebred Culp’s Hill will make his stakes debut for Joey Foster. The son of Eddington has won three races this meet, and prepped for this with a gate-to-wire turf allowance victory on August 23. Rider Tim Thornton has the call.

“He may be in a little deep, but gives a solid effort every time he runs,” said Foster.

The field for the A. L. (Red) Erwin, from the rail is: Magic Vow, Kerwin Clark; Tigerstorm, Alexander Castillo; Culp’s Hill, Tim Thornton; Paddy O’Lionel, Gerardo Mora; Fireblaster, Diego Saenz; Im a Cowboy Too, Arturo Aparicio; Score’s Choice, Aubrie Green; Jack Snipe’s, Denny Velazquez; Calmack, Jarred Journet; Impressive Student, Gerard Melancon; Fee Do, Emanuel Nieves and Drewmisterio, Roberto Morales.

 

Louisiana Downs Trainer and Jockey Standings

Through September 18, last year’s leading trainer Joey Foster continues to hold a commanding lead over his fellow conditioners with 62 wins. H. B. Johnson is second with 26 wins to date and Ronnie Ward is in sole possession of third place with 18 wins. Sarah Delany follows in fourth; she has each saddled 15 winners.

Gerardo Mora has taken the lead in the jockey standings with 71 wins. Aubrie Green continues her strong showing and has moved into second place with 60 trips to the winner’s circle. Richard Eramia, who was on top for much of the season before he departed to ride at Remington Park, is third with 59 victories.  Jose Guerrero rounds out the top four with 51 wins.

The very tight battle for leading owner honors continues with Jorge Gomez on top with 11 wins. Red Rose Racing follows closely with ten wins and Patti Turner, Beverly Burress, Jamie C.  Pastor and Anthony Faulk have each won nine races each in the 2017 Thoroughbred meet.

About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

For further information, please contact:

Trent McIntosh  |  Assistant General Manager
O 318-752-6980
8000 East Texas Street | Bossier City, LA 71111
www.caesars.com

Nearly 200 Head Consigned to Equine Sales’ Open Yearling and Mixed Sale

louisianathoroughbred
(Opelousas, Louisiana — September 19, 2017) — A catalogue of 195 head has been released for the Equine Sales Company Open Yearling and Mixed Sale. Approximately 10 late supplements are being added, which will bring the total catalogue to more than 200. The auction will be held Sunday, October 15, at 10 a.m. in Opelousas, Louisiana.
The auction will start with an offering of 73 yearlings followed by a mixed session with 122 head. The mixed session includes 31 weanlings and six 2-year-olds along with broodmares, a stallion and horses of racing age. 
Among the sires represented in the yearling session are Justin Phillip, Lookin at Lucky, Custom for Carlos, Songandaprayer, Half Ours, Guilt Trip and Star Guitar. Many of those same stallions are also represented among the in-foal offerings.
“We had a very good select yearling sale in August, so I think that momentum will continue with this one,” said Sales Director Foster Bridewell. “This catalogue has something for everyone in all price ranges, and we expect to have some new buyers who couldn’t make it to our last sale due to Hurricane Harvey.”
To view the catalog, go to www.equinesalesofla.com.
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