The Mardi Gras Futurity, the First Official Futurity of the Year, Set for March 14

 

Bossier City, LA – The 2020 Quarter Horse racing season will get underway at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs on Saturday, January 4. The 46-day meet will include 12 stakes highlighted by the first official futurity of the year, the $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2)on Saturday, March 14.

 

Last year’s $310,466 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) champion Egoizzta Partnership’s Hh Gailforce will compete in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (RG2) on Saturday, December 14 at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.  Mardi Gras runner-up Tf Shez Jess Dashin, owned by Down South Racing LLC,  went on to win the $339,931 Lassie Futurity at Delta Downs.

 

In addition to the Mardi Gras Futurity for Louisiana-breds, the $75,000-added Harrah’s Futurity (G3) will be contested on March 18 and is an open 2-year-old championship. Cruz Nava’s Trump My Record was victorious this year and continued his exceptional campaign with wins in both the Sam Houston Futurity (G2) and Texas Classic Futurity (G1).  He will be one of the top contenders for AQHA Champion 2-year-old honors when their winners are announced in January.

 

Live racing will be conducted Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with a 1:00 p.m. (Central) post time through March 18.

 

The barn area will open on Saturday, December 19 with training hours set from 6:30 am – 10:30 am. Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will also offer schooling races for 2-year-olds paid into the Mardi Gras Futurity as well as the Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity.

 

“We have received strong interest from returning horsemen including Lanny Keith, Vann Haywood, Orlando Orozco, Kenneth Roberts, Sr. and Martin Trejo,” said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing. “Several new conditioners, including Heath Taylor, Robert Touchet, and Shane Mason have been assigned stalls this year.”

 

 

 

Louisiana Downs 2020 Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule

 

January 4         $15,000 Harrah’s Dash                       4 YO & Up                 350 yards

January 11       $15,000 Marathon Stakes                   4 YO & Up                   870 yards

January 18       $25,000 Billy Montgomery                3 YO LA-Bred             350 yards

January 25       $15,000 Swift Stakes                         4 YO & Up                    350 yards

$25,000 Party Girl Stakes         4 YO & Up F&M  LA-bred   330 yards

 

February 1       $25,000 Magnolia Stakes                   3 YO & Up LA-Bred   870 yards

February 8       $15,000-added LAD Maiden Stake       3,4 & 5 YO LA-Bred   350 yards

February 15     $25,000 Mr Jess Perry (RG3)             4 YO & Up LA-Bred   330 yards

 

March 14         $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity    2 YO LA-Bred             300 yards

$50,000-added Mardi Gras Derby         3 YO   LA-Bred           400 yards

$15,000 Leverne Perry Memorial       3 YO & Up                  400 yards

 

March 18         $75,000-added Harrah’s Futurity          2 YO                       300 yards 

2020 Quarter Horse Trial Dates

 

January 18                               Louisiana Downs Maiden Stake

February 22                             Mardi Gras Futurity

February 23                             Mardi Gras Derby

March 1                                   Harrah’s Futurity

 

 

2020 Schooling Race Dates

 

January 31                               Mardi Gras Futurity

February 7                               Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity

 

 

 

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.