Bossier City, LA – Due to the outbreak of EHV-1 in Oklahoma City, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will not allow horses from Remington Park or Will Rogers Downs to access its grounds. This decision was made on Friday, November 21 and will be in effect until further notice.
As widely reported, cases of Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) were confirmed at Remington Park beginning on November 12. Currently, there is no live racing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, but the Bossier City racetrack serves as a training center for horsemen in between race meets. This was introduced in November, 2018 following the closure of the Evangeline Training Center.
“In order to protect our current horse population, we felt it was necessary to issue this policy,” said Eric Halstrom, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Vice President of Operations. “ Should horsemen have any question regarding this change in policy those inquiries should be directed to Louisiana Downs’ Director of Racing, David Heitzmann, or Stall Superintendent, Natalie Ardoin.”
The 2020 Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet will commence on Saturday, January 4.
Currently, the racetrack is open for training six days a week with full amenities including a clocker, outrider and ambulance service. Security in the stable area is provided 24 hours a day, seven days each week. Located in the Bossier City-Shreveport metroplex, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is located in convenient proximity for shipping to Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana; Fair Grounds in New Orleans and the upcoming live season at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Space and availability for Thoroughbreds is limited and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Horsemen are encouraged to contact David Heitzmann, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Director of Racing at (318) 741-2511 or (318) 741-2512 for rates and information.
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.
