Celebrated Jockey Proud of his Louisiana Heritage and Legacy at His “Home Track”

Patti, Ronald and Natalie Ardoin. Hodges photo.

Bossier City, LA – Last week’s announcement regarding the inaugural Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Racing Hall of Fame was greatly appreciated by jockey Ronald Ardoin. He and fellow retired rider Larry Snyder are the first two jockeys to be inducted.

The July 13 Racing Hall of Fame ceremony will be the fourth Hall of Fame honor for Ardoin, who was previously enshrined as a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Fair Grounds Hall of Fame and the Lone Star Park Hall of Fame.

This one will always have a special place in the heart of the native Louisianan, who was born in Carencro, and resides in Haughton. He’s won six leading rider titles at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.

“Everybody has their home track and I have been blessed to be a part of Louisiana Downs every summer since their inaugural meet (in 1974),” said Ardoin. “I’ve seen the good, bad and ugly, but wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else!”

He is one of several nationally prominent jockeys, including Eddie Delahoussaye and Mark Guidry, who were born in Carencro.

“We were too little to work in the oilfield, so we started riding,” recalled Ardoin. “I began in the bush tracks in Louisiana when I was eight and got my jocks license when I turned 16.”

And what a career it was!  According to Equibase statistics, Ardoin rode 32,335 horses over three decades, winning 5,226 races with 4,298 seconds and 3,793 third-place finishes. He had nationally lauded victories aboard multiple-graded stakes winner Scott’s Scoundrel and a victory in the 1996 Arkansas Derby with Zarb’s Magic, but winning each race, no matter the purse, was important.

“Every win was special to me,” he said. “I didn’t care if it was a $5,000 maiden race or the $500,000 Arkansas Derby. It’s the thrill of victory; I got ’em again. They’re all special to me.”

Ardoin, who retired from the saddle in 2003, will celebrate his 62^nd birthday on June 13. For the past six years, has served as a jockey agent at Louisiana Downs.  He enjoyed the camaraderie in the jocks room and the relationships with trainers when he rode. That remains a mainstay of his agent career, six days a week, beginning before 6:00 am when he makes his rounds around the backside in his golf cart, booking mounts for his riders. He gives credit to his agent, Jerry Harrison, who worked tirelessly for Ardoin over a span of  25 years.

“A lot goes into agenting,” acknowledged Ardoin. “It’s a 24-7 job, and working with people can be challenging. But I always had a plan as a jockey and the same is true for my riders.”

Ardoin took veteran rider Don Simington’s book when he first began as an agent and last year booked mounts for Emanuel Nieves, who won the Louisiana Downs riding title. With Nieves out of action due to a broken arm early this meet, Ardoin took on Carlos Lozada and Aubrie Green. He demands a strict work ethic of his riders each morning and the same on race days.

“I tell them to show trainers and owners that you will give the same ride to a 20-1 shot that you would on an 8-5 favorite,” he explained.

One of the perks of spending six months in Bossier City, is enjoying quality time with his wife,  Patti, who works for Hodges Photography and his daughter, Natalie, a member of the Louisiana Downs racing office.

A Racing Hall of Fame honoree might focus on the wins, top horses, injuries and connections involved in winning over 5,000 races.  Ardoin remembers them like they were yesterday, but also expresses a heartfelt thanks to Patti and Natalie for their support.

“My wife of 43 years, Patti, has been with me from the start,” he acknowledged. “With all the traveling, I was a sometime dad, but Natalie had a great mom.  With all the accomplishments in the racing industry, I take my greatest pride in our daughter; that kid is really something!”

On race afternoons, you can find Ardoin hanging out and watching the action with Natalie, who was the program coordinator/claims clerk last year and is the stall superintendent for the 2019 Louisiana Downs racing season.  They will often finish each other’s sentences as between the two, they combine for a full-volume encyclopedia on the people, history and current news in the racing industry.

“We spent a lot of time apart when he was riding,” said Natalie. “Since I moved back to Louisiana from Kentucky, this has been the closest we have ever been.”

Patti, a daughter of trainer Jack Lloyd, grew up around race trackers, so she was well-versed in the sacrifices required of family members.

“I’ve been there since the beginning,” she stated. “Seeing him get this recognition is very meaningful. The Hall of Fame ceremonies bring tears to your eyes.”

On July 13, Ardoin will be inducted into the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Racing Hall of Fame with Patti, Natalie and a slew of horsemen and fans celebrating another well-deserved milestone for the popular retired jockey. He may get a little emotional as his “home track” means so much to him, but the honor will not change him as a person.

“I came from a humble beginning and will leave this life as a humble man,” said Ardoin. “One thing is certain: I could never have done it by myself.”

Fan Vote for the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Racing Hall of Fame Begins on June 15

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs recently announced the formation of its first Racing Hall of Fame. It will honor the achievements of horse owners, trainers, jockeys, horses and property contributors who have played pivotal roles in the rich history of Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.  Members of the first class are John Franks, Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., Frank L. Brothers, C. W. Walker,  Ronald Ardoin, Larry Snyder, Sunday Silence and Free Spirits Joy.

Beginning on Saturday, June 15, the public will be able to cast a vote for an additional inductee in the category of trainer, jockey, racing contributor and horse.  Voters can select ONE of the following nominees in each category  by clicking on the following link on the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs website:  http://shout.lt/bQZNV.  

Voting will close on Saturday, June 29 with the Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony slated for Saturday, July 13.

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs To Simulcast the Belmont Stakes

In addition to live racing on Saturday, June 8 at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, fans can also watch and wager on the 151^st Belmont Stakes, the third and final jewel in Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. The exceptional day at Belmont Park will feature eight Grade 1 stakes with post time for the Belmont Stakes at 5:35pm (CST). And if you are looking for a great place to dine while watching all of the racing action, Harrah’s Club has an All You Can Eat Buffet offering for just $39.99 per person. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 318-752-6367.

Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge Set for Saturday, June 22

Caesars Entertainment horse racing properties – Harrah’s Louisiana Downs , Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, and Harrah’s Philadelphia are pleased to announce the first-ever Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge.

The Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge will take place at four Caesar’s properties, including Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. The entry fee is $150 and participants must be 21 or over. The format for the challenge will require contestants to make 12 $2 win and place fictional wagers on the designated challenge races. Contestants must place a win and place wager on one horse in 12 mandatory races out of 20 available from Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Indiana Grand, and Harrah’s Hoosier Park

The first-place winner in the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge will walk away with $20,000, a seat at the $3,000,000 estimated National Horseplayers Championship, and a chance at an additional $1 million cash prize in the event of a double victory. First-place winner must be eligible to participate in the NHC in order to receive the NHC seat.  For more information about the National Horseplayers Championship, visit www.nhctour.com. The $1 million prize will be awarded either as an annuity that pays $25,000 per year for forty years without interest or as a discounted lump sum payment of $550,000, which represents the approximate present value of the annuity. Second place will be awarded $10,000 while the third-place winner will take home $1,500. There will be additional cash prizes for fourth through tenth place.

For further information, visit the contest page on the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs website.

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.