Nominations Closed for Louisiana Cup Day on August 21

Bossier City, LA – The Thoroughbred racing community was united in watching the progression of trainer Steve Asmussen as he inched closer to breaking the record of 9,445 wins set by Dale Baird. When the Hall of Famer accomplished that significant milestone on August 7 at Saratoga with Stellar Tap, he had a legion of supporters rooting him on at Louisiana Downs.

Asmussen continues to fill the entry boxes at racetracks all over the country and has been a longtime supporter of the Bossier City racetrack. He won two editions of the Super Derby (G3) with Michael Lankford’s Limation at odds of 26-1 in 2018 and Rotation the following year for Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC.  Last September, Asmussen claimed both leading trainer and owner of the meet titles for the 2020 Thoroughbred season at Louisiana Downs.  He is currently fifth in the standings with his runners finishing in the money at a 46% clip.

“We have kept a large string at Louisiana Downs for several years,” said Asmussen by phone on Sunday. “They have excellent track surfaces, which help all of our horses as they train and  progress in their racing careers.”

Asmussen also gave credit to longtime assistant Mitch Dennison, who oversees the Louisiana string and jockey Joel Dominguez, who has been his first-call rider here in 2020 and 2021.

“Mitch and Joel are two great examples of why we were able to celebrate in setting the record,” he added. “Each of the 9,446 wins were achieved by the effort of each of our employees and the passion they share for racing. I am so blessed to be in this position and share it with every member of our team.”

When the Evangeline Training Center closed three years ago, it was Louisiana Downs that stepped up with an opportunity to stable and train in Shreveport.

“Louisiana Downs has been our hub for this region for three years,” said Dennison. “Steve believes in having each horse being productive at their class level. So, in addition to our success here this meet, we are able to train and ship horses where they fit.”

Dennison shared that his boss sent a heartfelt text thanking his assistants for their hardwork and how much he appreciated their role in the record-setting milestone.

“The significance of this accomplishment is amazing,” added Dennison. “Steve has been an incredible mentor to so many of us as well as a good human being and family man. He continues to instill that have the same care and expectations to the claiming horses as the graded stakes runners. His attention to detail is unsurpassed.”

“On behalf of the entire team at Louisiana Downs, we congratulate Steve for this incredible achievement,” said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing. “We appreciate his continued support of our racetrack and the standard he continues to set in our industry.”

Nominations Closed for Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 21

Quality Louisiana-bred horses will take center stage on Saturday, August 21 when Louisiana Downs presents Louisiana Cup Day.  Post time will be 2:45 pm (CT) for the annual event that will include six $50,000 main track and turf stakes.

Nominations are closed with strong interest from trainers including Joey Foster, Shane Wilson, Ron Faucheaux, Allen Landry, Victor Arceneaux as well as Steve Asmussen.  The draw for Cup Day will take place on Saturday, August 14.

Much more to come on the stakes as well as special events for Louisiana Cup Day.  The six Louisiana Cup Day Stakes are as follows:

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$50,000 Louisiana Distaff                              3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

Registration Still Open for the Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Louisiana Downs will host its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Northwood HillsGolf Club in Shreveport, Louisiana on Wednesday September 1.The event will benefit The Winner’s Circle Church and Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk for his many programs to assist the Louisiana Downs racing community and backstretch workers.

Sign in for the event’s Four Person Scramble kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with tee off at 10:30 a.m.  The fee is $80 per person or $320 for a four-person team.  The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and Super Derby t-shirt/cap. Trophies will be presented to the first, second and third-place teams.

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 25th. Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Backside Benevolence Fund and mailed to:  Jennifer Sokol, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71111.  For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol at (318) 741-2512 or (318) 573-5830.

Louisiana Downs Live Racing Schedule

Live racing takes place Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until the conclusion of the live season on Tuesday, September 21. For more information on the 84-day racing season and special events, visit https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-louisiana-downs/racing.