Bossier City, LA – Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is pleased to announce that the purse for each of the six stakes for accredited Louisiana-breds on Louisiana Cup Day will increase by $10,000.  The annual Louisiana Cup Day is set for Saturday, August 4 with nominations closing this Saturday, July 21.

“We greatly appreciate the support from the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) in creating an even greater opportunity for Louisiana-bred racing,” said David Heitzmann, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Racing Secretary. “This is excellent news for our horsemen and we look forward to presenting an outstanding day of racing on August 4.”

This is the second announcement this meet at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. An increase in overnight race purses for the 2018 Thoroughbred season went into effect on June 30.  All overnight races, up to and including $12,500, were increased by $1,500. All other purses were raised by $1,000.

Heitzmann encouraged horsemen to contact the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs racing office as soon as possible, as nominations for Louisiana Cup Day close this Saturday.

In addition to the six stakes for accredited Louisiana-breds, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will also run the $60,000 Prelude for 3-year-olds at a mile and one-sixteenth on the main track. The winner will earn a berth to the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby on Sunday, September 2.

The purses and condition for the Louisiana Cup Day stakes are as follows:

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        Six furlongs

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             Six furlongs

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 Louisiana Distaff                              3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 Super Derby Prelude                         3 Y0                                        1 1/16 miles

Scholarship Drawings Set for Louisiana Cup Day

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The drawings will be between the fifth and sixth races. The races begin at 3:15 p.m. and the student must be there to register between 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.at the designated registration booth.

The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2018.

Must be in good standing with the college or university.

Must be present at the drawing location to win.

Must have university ID number or Social Security number.

The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association is pleased to continue making an investment in the future of our state by investing in the education process,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.