Category: Caesars Entertainment

Harrah’s Announces Aftercare Fundraising Program At Louisiana Downs, Philly, Indiana, Hoosier

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Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), announced May 22, the launch of Empire of Hope, a new program designed to help raise awareness and funding for the care of horses after their racing careers are over. Developed with support from accredited racehorse aftercare programs, Empire of Hope will directly assist efforts to relocate, rehabilitate and repurpose retired horses.

“Empire of Hope is a direct reflection of the appreciation and pride we have for the horses that participate in Caesars’ racing program,” said Rick Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. “Our equine athletes are the stars of our sport and we want to ensure that when they retire, they are placed in productive and loving environments to live out a long and healthy life.”

Horses that compete at Caesars’ racing properties range in age from two through 14; they retire on their 15th birthday. It is estimated that more than 15,000 horses annually are placed in existing aftercare programs after their racing careers are complete. Funding to relocate, rehabilitate and repurpose these equine athletes can cost several thousand dollars per horse. Through Empire of Hope, Caesars will provide funding and support to accredited non-profit racehorse aftercare organizations, including Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Standardbred Transition Alliance.

“Thanks to the support of our industry stakeholders, the TAA and our accredited organizations are making a difference in the lives of thousands of retired Thoroughbreds,” said TAA president Mike Meuser. “With the launch of the Empire of Hope program, Caesars is helping us make sure that these horses receive the specialized and dedicated care they need to live healthy, happy lives after they retire from racing.”

During their tenure at Caesars’ racing properties, the horses are cared for by multiple staff members on behalf of individual trainers and owners, who provide the utmost care through feeding programs, veterinary care, horseshoeing needs and other essential requirements for their overall physical condition. Individual trainers and owners make the decision on the next step for their horses after their racing careers are over, and often reach out to aftercare programs as the best option for a second career.

“The Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA) is so pleased that Caesars has embraced this initiative of recognizing and bringing awareness to horses that are now moving into different careers after racing,” said David Reid, president of STA. “We are hopeful this will ignite more racing and casino companies like Caesars to see this example and follow suit in our joint effort as an industry to assist our equine athletes as they proceed into new careers after racing.”

Empire of Hope will be launched at four of Caesars’ racing properties: Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, LA; Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, IN; Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Anderson, IN; and Harrah’s Philadelphia. With a goal to raise $30,000, Empire of Hope activities will range from food and drink specials to entertainment and promotional activities. Each property has designed numerous ways to accept donations and raise funds during the weekend of Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, 2019.

Visit the following property websites to learn more about Empire of Hope: www.caesars.com/indianagrand;www.caesars.com/harrahs-hoosier-park; www.caesars.com/harrahs-louisiana-downs; and www.caesars.com/harrahs-philly.

HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS JOINS OTHER CAESARS RACING PROPERTIES IN HOSTING A ONE OF A KIND HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019

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Top Ten Finalists Will Share $35,000. Winner to Take $20,000 and a Shot at $1 Million

Bossier City, LA – Caesars Entertainment horse racing properties – Harrah’s Louisiana Downs , Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, and Harrah’s Philadelphia are pleased to announce the first-ever Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge.

 

The Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge will offer horseplayers from around the country the unique opportunity to handicap both Thoroughbred and Standardbred races for a top prize of $20,000, a seat at the $3,000,000 estimated National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), and an additional $1 million cash prize if the winner of the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge also captures the NHC victory. This one-day challenge will be hosted on Saturday, June 22, 2019.

 

The Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge – sponsored by John Deere and Cowpokes – will be hosted at the four Caesars Racing properties: Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, LA; Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville, IN; Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Anderson, IN; and Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester, PA. Players can also participate at the tracks’ Off-Track Betting properties: Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Mound OTB in Tallulah, LA; VooDoo BBQ & Grill and Winner’s Circle OTB in New Haven, IN; Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis, IN; and Winner’s Circle OTB in Clarksville, IN. Participants must be 21 or over.

 

Entry into the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge requires a $150 fee due upon check-in on the day of the challenge. Reservations are currently being accepted and the challenge will be capped at 400 entries. Players are encouraged to sign up quickly as the entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contestants will be limited to two entries per person. The entry fee will include dining offerings at each location, race day simulcast programs and tip sheets.

 

The first-place winner in the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge will walk away with $20,000, a seat at the $3,000,000 estimated National Horseplayers Championship, and a chance at an additional $1 million cash prize in the event of a double victory. First-place winner must be eligible to participate in the NHC in order to receive the NHC seat.  For more information about the National Horseplayers Championship, visit www.nhctour.com. The $1 million prize will be awarded either as an annuity that pays $25,000 per year for forty years without interest or as a discounted lump sum payment of $550,000, which represents the approximate present value of the annuity. Second place will be awarded $10,000 while the third-place winner will take home $1,500. There will be additional cash prizes for fourth through tenth place.

The format for the challenge will require contestants to make 12 $2 win and place fictional wagers on the designated challenge races. Contestants must place a win and place wager on one horse in 12 mandatory races out of 20 available from Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Indiana Grand, and Harrah’s Hoosier Park. At least one race per track must be included on each entry to be eligible for the challenge. The wagers must be placed at a designated challenge location. All wagers are fictional; no money is paid on challenge wagers. The challenge time frame is 4:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (EST). Reservations for the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge can be made by calling (866) 357-1731. Official rules and more information is available on the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs website or by contacting Harrah’s Louisiana Downs coordinator Shelli Briery at 318-742-0711 extension 54382.

 

“We are pleased to be part of this innovative handicapping contest,” said Eric Halstrom, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs vice president of operations.  “Our Road to the Kentucky Derby Handicapping Contest was well-received by our local horseplayers. There were 201 enthusiastic participants who encouraged us to offer more contests in the future. We know they will enjoy the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge with the chance to win a seat to the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas.”

 

Louisiana Downs Trainer, Jockey and Owner Standings

As of May 21, Beverly Burress has won five races to top the trainer standings.  Joey Foster, Joe Duhon andRonnie Ward have each saddle four winners. There is also a tie for third-place between Patti Turner, Steve Asmussen, Karl Broberg and Philip Mark Dison. They have each won three races since the 2019 Thoroughbred season began on May 4.

 

Carlos Lozada won three races on the Monday, May 20 card to take the lead in the jockey standings. He has made nine trips to the winner’s circle with  Joel Dominguez and  Eguard Tejera following closely with eight wins each. Hector Del-Cid and Richard Eramia have both won seven races to date.

 

It was a tough start for last year’s leading rider, Emanuel Nieves, who was injured on May 11, when his mount, Girls Life clipped heels and fell. Nieves was transported to the hospital with a dislocated clavicle and broken arm.  He has an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation, according to his agent, Ronald Ardoin.

 

End Zone Athletics, Inc., Ronnie Ward and Steve Asmussen have each won three races to top the owner leaderboard.

 

Memorial Day Pig Races and Family Fun Day                

The popular Memorial Day Pig races return on Monday, May 27.Don’t miss these wacky races as these high flying little porkers race to the finish line. The Pig Races will take place between post times for the Memorial Day Race Card  There will also be a Petting Zoo for children and a kid’s area with bounce houses and water slides. Face painting is available for purchase. Eat up as food trucks serve up great local bites. First Post Time 3:15 pm.

 

For more information on the upcoming racing season and special events, click here.

 

Daily Racing Promotions and Daily Offers

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs welcomes patrons four days a week for live racing and daily simulcast wagering on racetracks across the country. Promotions and food and beverage specials include:

 

Mobile Mondays | Enjoying the races? Check-in on the Caesars Rewards app from your smart phone to receive an entry into the weekly “Day at the Races” drawing. Winner will receive a dining experience for two to the Harrah’s Club (max value of $100).

 

2X Tuesdays | Present your Caesars Rewards card when making a wager and receive a 2X racing reward credit multiplier each Tuesday.

 

Watch & Wager Wednesdays | Enjoy hotdogs, popcorn, beer and racing programs for only $1.00!

 

$5.00 Free Bet | Saturdays, May 4 & 18 |Opt in and receive a ticket at the Racing Kiosks between 11am and 5pm. Saturdays, May 11 & 25| Redeem your Free Bet at the Mutuel Counter.

 

Super Saturdays| Race to more Rewards by presenting your Caesars Rewards card when making a wager and receive up to a 7X Racing Reward Credit Multiplier.

 

Saturday Pick 4 Family Day| Enjoy a box seat for 4 with food and drinks for only $16 on select Saturdays.

 

Bet & Earn| Check out Harrah’s new Bet & Earn offered through Racing by Caesars Rewards. Guests wagering using a Caesars Rewards card will now receive one Tier Credit and one Reward Credit on a three dollar bet.

 

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.