Month: May 2022

LOUISIANA LEGENDS CARD SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT

louisianathoroughbred

SIX $75,000 STAKES FOR LOUISIANA-BREDS HIGHLIGHTS AN EXCITING PROGRAM

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –Full fields and plenty of fan festivities are highlights of the Louisiana Legends card at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.  Six stakes races, each with a purse of $75,000 for Louisiana-bred runners, are the featured events on a nine-race program that drew a total of 88 entries.  The card also includes a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old Louisiana-bred runners.

In addition to the excellent card that was drawn, Evangeline Downs has many other attractions for race fans.  Prior to the races, jockeys will be available for pictures and autographs in a meet and greet from 4:30-5:00pm and jockeys will be tossing t-shirts from the winner’s circle after each stakes race.  A Legends Night dance party with an 80’s theme will take place in Mojo’s after the races.  There will be many food vendors with specialty foods and treats in the paddock area as well.

The stakes action kicks off with the $75,000 Soiree in the third race of the card.  Multiple-stakes winner Free Like a Girl is the morning line favorite in race for 3-year-old fillies going one mile. She returns to face state-bred runners after finishing fourth behind Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath in her most recent start.  Wholelottamo merits consideration after her runner-up finish in the Acadiana Stakes earlier in the meet.

The $75,000 Cheval, for 3-year-olds at the distance of one mile, brings together a competitive field of eight runners.    Vodka Gimlet, Cosmic Train and More Memories have traded decisions in recent stakes races at Delta Downs and the Fair Grounds and all look to have big chances in the Cheval.  But perhaps the most intriguing runner in the field is the recent maiden winner Touchuponastar, who was less than a second off the track record in a 21 ¼-length win at seven furlongs last out.

Net a Bear is the 2-1 morning line favorite over eight rivals in the $75,000 Turf Distaff at one mile on the turf.  The Allen Landry trainee has won her last four races over turf courses and has a field topping seven career turf victories.  Offspring, the defending champ of the Distaff,  will be one of the runners looking to turn the tables on the favorite, as she has finished behind Net a Bear in her last four matchups.

Ova Charged has been installed as a solid 6/5 favorite over seven other runners in the $75,000 Mademoiselle over 5-1/2 furlongs for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares.  A winner of four of five career starts, Ova Charged suffered her only defeat in a runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Victory Ride stakes at Belmont last summer.  Strong Beauty brings a two-race winning streak into the Mademoiselle and Snowball, cross-entered in the Distaff, will be looking to upset the potential heavy favorite.

A full field of 12 runners will fill the gate for the $75,000 Sprint over the 5-1/2 furlong distance.  Yankee Seven, the moderate 5/2 morning line favorite, brings a four-race winning streak into the race.  Alterana, a winner of six of his last seven races, and Bertie’s Galaxy, winner of five of his last eight, are both accomplished runners that have terrific chances.

A very competitive field of 12 will line up in the $75,000 Turf over the 1-1/16 mile distance.  Recent stakes winner Mangelsen has drawn the rail and is the morning line favorite at 5/2.  Forestdungone and Jaci’s Royalty have both won at the track this season, while a return to the turf could help wake up Treys Midnite Moon.  Jax Man and Behemah Star are among the many runners that could take the Turf.

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be awarding two $1,000 scholarships during the evening.  Students are encouraged to attend the races and enter the drawing, with the winners to be selected after the fifth race.  First post time Saturday will be 5:30pm Central Time.

For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website atwww.evdracing.com and on Twitter @evdracing.  The racing calendar for 2022 is a Wednesday through Saturday schedule until the end of the meet on August 27.

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.

June Calendar of Events from the LTBA

louisianathoroughbred
 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association would like to share the following list of dates of interest to Louisiana horsemen and women.

Brought to you by Whispering Oaks Farm,   Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and Breeders Sales Company. Click images to link to more informationJune 4
•       Louisiana Legends Night – Six stakes races for Accredited Louisiana Bred Thoroughbreds worth total purses of $450,000, Evangeline Downs

June 7-9

  • OBS June Two-Year-Olds & Horses of Racing Age Sale, Ocala, FL

June 11
•       Annual Awards Banquet in conjunction with REAP Benefit, 5:00 p.m. Mojo’s at Evangeline Downs
•       LTBA Board of Directors Meeting 1:00 pm
•       Belmont Stakes

June 14

  • Flag Day

June 19

  • Fathers Day

June 21

  • Summer Solstice

June 24

  • Texas Summer Yearling Sale Consignment Deadline

June 30 

  • Louisiana Futurity payments due

 

Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach @ 2,500 readers.Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for cost and availability.

Do you have a date pertaining to Louisiana-breds that you would like included in an upcoming calendar? Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.comfor consideration.

 

Any questions or need more info call

Roger A. Heitzmann III, Secretary/Treasurer

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

504-947-4676

Mineral Content Of Pasture Affects Hoof Composition In Foals

louisianathoroughbred

by Kentucky Equine Research

 

Sampling of soil, pasture, and hoof capsules occurred in two periods. The first happened in summer and fall when all foals, between one and six months of age, were still nursing their dams; the second occurred after weaning when foals were nine to 12 months old. Forty-one foals were used in the preweaning period, 28 in the postweaning period.

All foals used in the study were Criollo, a South American breed revered for its tractability, soundness, and stamina under saddle. Mature height tends to be between 14 and 15 hands, and most are considered easy keepers. Foals were born and raised on five farms in Brazil. Mares and foals grazed native pastures consisting primarily of bahiagrass, kaimi clover, blanket grass, dallisgrass, and bermudagrass, though hundreds of other pasture species were likely part of the grazing landscape. They received no concentrate or mineral supplementation.

Read Paulick Report Article

Texas Racing Commission Threatens To Shut Down Racing Over HISA Oversight

louisianathoroughbred

by Ray Paulick

 

The Texas Racing Commission has said pari-mutuel wagering will not be conducted at Texas racetracks on live or simulcast wagering if the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority asserts control over regulatory supervision on July 1, 2022, as scheduled.

The Paulick Report obtained a copy of a May 20 letter to HISA chief executive officer Lisa Lazarus from Amy F. Cook, executive director of the Texas Racing Commission, in which Cook asked to be provided “specific dates, races, and horses that the Authority intends to regulate … within the jurisdiction of Texas.”

Cook cited the Texas Racing Act in stating that “no pari-mutuel wagering is permitted for live or simulcast export wagering for races our Commission does not supervise. Accordingly, there will be no such pari-mutuel wagering or simulcast wagering in Texas on those dates which the Authority asserts jurisdiction.”

 

Read Paulick Report Article

LOUISIANA DOWNS TO HOST EXOTIC ANIMAL RACES FEATURING CAMELS, ZEBRAS AND OSTRICHES ON MONDAY, MAY 30

louisianathoroughbred

Memorial Day Family Festivities Begin at 11:00 am

Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs will present Exotic Animal Races on Monday, May 30. The wildly popular special event,combined with live Thoroughbred racing and simulcast racing from tracks across the country, is always entertaining for the entire family.

Special family-friendly activities for the Memorial Day holiday get underway on the trackside apron at 11:00 am. There will be Face Painting, a Bounce House, Water Slide and live music by the Jimmy Wooten Band! Some of the top Food trucks in the Shreveport/Bossier City metroplex will be onsite throughout the afternoon. Or if you prefer to enjoy a meal in air-conditioned comfort, swing by the Pepper Rose, Too located on the second floor of the Louisiana Downs grandstand. Serving up everything from Cowboy Creole cuisine to Deli selections and famous for its Shrimp Po Boys, the Pepper Rose, Too is a sure bet!

Hodges photo.

The first live Thoroughbred race runs at 3:05 pm (Central) with the 100-yard “Camel Derby” to run after race 2 (approximately 4:00 pm). A fully grown adult camel can exceed six feet in height at weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Unpredictable at best, camels can be good-tempered, patient and intelligent.  The moaning and bawling sound they make when they’re loaded up and have to rise to their feet is like the grunting and heavy breathing of a weight-lifter in action, and the crowds chime in to root for their favorite!

The ”Zebra Derby” will take place after the fourth Thoroughbred race on the Monday program (approximately 5:00 pm). The striking black and white striped animals are not the same species as horses, but are part of the same family. They are smaller than our Thoroughbreds, but can run up to speeds of 65 mph, so our fans will have to root for our brave jockeys to hang on tight!

The final exotic animal race of the afternoon will be the “Ostrich Derby” which will run after the sixth race (approximately 6:00 pm). Ostriches usually weigh an average of 200 pounds, but some males can tip the scales at 340 pounds. Known for their long neck and legs, ostriches also have extremely distinctive eyes, the largest of any land vertebrate. They are very fast and run without a saddle, so the riders have to rely on balance as they surge to the finish line!

For more information on the Memorial Day activities, live racing and other upcoming special events, visit ladowns.com.

Trainer and  Jockey Standings

Shane Wilson, who was honored as 2021 Louisiana Down leading trainer, remains in the lead in the trainer standings with 12 wins. Joey Foster is now in second place with nine victories and  Steve Asmussen  is third with seven wins. Greg Tracy follows with sixvictories to date.

It was another milestone last week for Foster, who notched his 900th career win on May 21 with a victory by Perfect Perigee. The Louisiana-bred 4-year-old gelding is owned by Rafael Miguel Castillo and Silvia Canseco with jockey Carlos Lozada in the saddle.

Jose Guerrero continues to top his fellow riders with 16 wins since the meet began on May 7. Last year’s leading jockey Carlos Lozada is second with 11 trips to the winner’s circle, followed by Emanuel Nieves (nine wins) and Joel Dominguez (eight victories).

Louisiana Downs Racing Dates and Post Time

The 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs got underway on Saturday, May 7. The 84-day live racing season will run Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday through September 27. Post time on Saturday and Sunday is 1:45 pm (Central) and 3:05 pm on Monday and Tuesday. For details on simulcasting and special events, visit ladowns.com.

About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. 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.

Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Legends Night

louisianathoroughbred

Two Scholarships to be Awarded
at Louisiana Legends Night

Registration and Awards at
Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino

OPELOUSAS, La. – Louisiana Legends Night will take place at Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel in Opelousas, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award a total of two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The featured night of the thoroughbred racing season will take place June 4 with the Louisiana Legends Night. The exciting card will include six stakes races for horses bred in the Bayou State, each with a purse of $75,000. A new star emerged last year as Cilla  took the Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle Stakes and later scored a graded stakes win in the Prioress Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course in September.

Requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

  • Must be a college student enrolled full-time in an Accredited College, University or Community College for Fall 2022
  • Scholarships will be awarded by random draw.
  • Must be in good standing with the college or university.
  • Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.
  • Must have college ID and government-issued ID.
  • Must have University ID number or Social Security number.

For Louisiana Legends Night:

  • Registration: 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the designated booth
  • Races begin: 5:30 p.m.
  • Drawing Time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race. The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association continues to make an investment in the future of our state by investing in our students and the education process,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “This type of investment is for our future, the state, as well as the organization. Our hope is that these scholarships get the younger generations invested in LTBA so that our organization stays the top breeding incentive program in the United States.”

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages one of the best incentive programs for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed in 1963, this led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses. The thoroughbred racing and breeding industry generates over $1 billion and employs over 60,000 people in the state of Louisiana.

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino is the first “Racino” built in this country from the ground up. We feature a state-of-the-art facility with a new one mile oval. The entire property consists of nearly 750 acres. The track houses nearly 1,000 stalls on the backside. There is a pond in the infield, but no alligators (that we know of). We now have a 7/8-mile turf track with a 1 1/8-mile chute.

For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call (504) 947-4676.

DHS and DOL Announce Additional H-2B Visas for 2022

louisianathoroughbred

Lexington, KY, May 17, 2022 – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) commends the decision announced by the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Labor (DOL) to make an additional 35,000 H-2B visas available for the second half of FY-2022.

“We thank DHS, DOL, and the Administration for recognizing the critical need for additional H-2B visas to fill positions not being filled by US workers,” said NTRA President & CEO Tom Rooney. “This announcement will help provide immediate relief for tracks and horse trainers going into the summer racing season. While the release of additional H-2B visas is good news for the industry, the NTRA will continue to advocate for more comprehensive immigration reform in the future.”

The supplemental H-2B visa allocation is for U.S. employers seeking to employ additional workers on or after April 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. This announcement makes 23,500 visas available to returning workers who received an H-2B visa or were otherwise granted H-2B status during one of the last three fiscal years. The remaining 11,500 visas are reserved for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti, regardless of whether they are returning workers. The semiannual cap of 33,000 visas for the second half of FY 2022 was reached on February 25, 2022.  Employers can begin petitioning on Wednesday, May 18. More information can be found here.

The H-2B visa guest worker program is a nonimmigrant visa program used by many industries that need temporary non-agricultural help when domestic workers are unavailable. For the horse racing industry, trainers rely heavily on the H-2B program to fill various backside positions.

Consignment forms available now for LTBA’s 2022 Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana Yearling Sale

louisianathoroughbred
May 17, 2022

 

Consignment forms for Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s 2022 Yearling Sale are currently at the printer and are expected to be in the mail early next week. They may also be printed at home from the link below:

Consignment Contract

 

The Yearling Sale which will be followed by a Mixed Session under the banner of Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana, will be held on October 1st at the Equine Sales of Louisiana facility in Opelousas, La.

After not conducting a sale from 2015 through 2020, the LTBA stepped up to host a sale last year when Equine Sales Company decided not to conduct any sales in 2021. Last year’s sale was a tremendous success averaging just over $13,000 with a median of $8,000.

“Louisiana Breds have been very popular at the sales around the country. Now with the introduction of Sports Betting and the coming of Historical Horse Racing Machines, we anticipate that purses for Accredited Louisiana Breds will increase dramatically. We expect the value of, and demand for Louisiana Bred yearlings to increase substantially as well,” says LTBA Secretary/Treasurer Roger Heitzmann, III

“I expect this year’s sale to continue the momentum that started with the sale last year and anticipate an increased interest from both consignors and buyers,” states Tom Early, sales director.  “The increase in purses is due to be evident by the time this year’s yearling crop reach racing age.”

The entry deadline is July 6th.  Entries are limited to 228 due to the number of stalls at the Equine Sales Facility, so it is recommended that consignors enter early.

The Jockey Club Publishes Inaugural Fact Book Racing Chronicle

louisianathoroughbred

The Jockey Club announced today that it will now offer The Jockey Club Fact Book Chronicle as part of the free online Fact Book on its website.

In 2021, The Jockey Club offered a free PDF of The American Racing Manual. The Fact Book Racing Chronicle will contain much of the information that was found in The American Racing Manual. However, the source and format of some of the data will differ from last year’s manual. For example, past performances will now come directly from Equibase, and charts from graded stakes races will be provided through links to equibase.com.

“The information in The Jockey Club Fact Book Chronicle is valuable for everyone from researchers and reporters to handicappers and casual racing fans, and we are pleased to be able to provide this resource as part of our Fact Book,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “In the coming years, we plan to add additional content and make the information more dynamic, and we welcome feedback on potential additions to the Chronicle.”

Feedback on the Fact Book Chronicle can be submitted to contactus@jockeyclub.com.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It founded America’s Best Racing (americasbestracing.net), the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing, and in partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, operates OwnerView (ownerview.com), the ownership resource. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.