Saturday, January 23 is Opening Day of the 46-Day Live Racing Season
Bossier City, LA – The 2021 Quarter Horse racing season will get underway at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, January 23. The Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) approved the track’s request for a 46-day meet, subject to ratification.
Louisiana Downs has the distinction of hosting the first official futurity of the year, the $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2), which will take place on Saturday, March 27. Last year’s $315,166 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) champion Delfino Lozano, IV’s homebred El Camino Cl was the fastest qualifier in trials and did not disappoint in the final under jockey Eddie Sanchez. Sired by Heza Fast Dash out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Eying Miss Perry, he is trained by Jose Sanchez, III and will be one of the finalists in the LQHBA Louisiana Million at Evangeline Downs on Saturday, December 19.
Last year’s final of the Harrah’s Futurity could not be completed as Louisiana Downs was forced to curtail the final two days of the 2020 Quarter Horse meet due to COVID-19. Trump My Record, who won the previous edition of the stakes, continues to impress, adding nine victories, including two Grade 1 championships, in his subsequent races. Also trained by Sanchez, the son of Apollitical Blood has now earned $979,068 for his owner Gilbert Pacheco, III.
Stall applications are due by Tuesday, December 15. The barn area will open on Saturday, January 2 with the first draw scheduled for January 16. Louisiana Downs will also offer schooling races for 2-year-olds paid into the Mardi Gras Futurity as well as the Harrah’s Futurity. Live racing will be conducted Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with a 1:00 p.m. (Central) post time. The meet continues through Wednesday, April 7.
“This has been a challenging year for everyone in Louisiana with the COVID-19 pandemic and one of the most destructive Hurricane seasons in history,” said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing. “Modifications in the stakes schedule were necessary, but we are pleased to offer our loyal horsemen a full 46-day live racing schedule.”
About 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.
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