Close

Un Ojo to Bypass Preakness Due to Foot Bruise

The same issue kept the grade 2 winner from starting in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

 

Un Ojo  will not run in the May 21 Preakness Stakes (G1) because of a bruised foot, according to trainer Ricky Courville.

The same injury that kept the son of Laoban  out of the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) has flared up.

“This morning his foot was a little warm again,” Louisiana-based Courville said May 16. “The vets went over him, and he’s not 100%. I’m dealing with the same thing. I guess the work kind of re-aggravated it.”

The one-eyed gelding last worked May 14 at Churchill Downs where he breezed five furlongs in 1:02. The foot issue began following his prior work April 30, also at Churchill.

 

Read BloodHorse Article

LOUISIANA DOWNS AMENDS WEEKEND POST TIMES FOR THE 2022 THOROUGHBRED LIVE RACING SEASON EFFECTIVE SATURDAY, MAY 21

First Race Will Begin on 1:45 pm(Central) Saturday and Sunday

 

Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs kicked off its annual Thoroughbred meet on Saturday, May 7 with perfect weather and a packed house.

New owner Kevin Preston and Mitch Dennison, Louisiana Downs General Manager of Racing, are pleased with the tremendous support from the horsemen and racing fans and look forward to another excellent turnout for Saturday’s live racing and simulcast of the 147th Preakness Stakes.

“We were thrilled with our opening day crowd here for both live racing and the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby,” said Mitch Dennison, Louisiana Downs General Manager of Racing. “From our suite level to the apron, fans were having a great time and told our team members that they would be back on a regular basis. We are committed to making  Louisiana Downs a top sports and entertainment destination, and opening day surpassed our expectations. We are excited to build on this momentum in the months to come.”

Trainer Joey Foster, who resides in nearby Benton, Louisiana, has been a very loyal supporter of  his home track and applauds the efforts of Preston, Dennison and the entire team.

“I’m 110% behind them,” said Foster. “Mitch is a horseman and is on the backside every morning making sure things are going well. We have an excellent turf course and the main track is well-managed and kind to our young horses. Kevin has big plans and with Sports wagering and Historical racing machines, there will be more revenue for the horsemen. They have the wheels in motion and we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!”

Preakness Festivities Planned for Saturday, May 21

The 147th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore Maryland will take place on Saturday, May 21. Louisiana Downs will simulcast each of the races from Pimlico Race Course. The nine horse field will not include Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, but Derby runner-up Epicenter as well Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath, are two of the quality 3-year-olds expected draw considerable attention. Louisiana Downs will celebrate the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown with live racing, and Family fun events including Bounce Houses, Face Painting as well as several of the top Food Trucks in the Metroplex. Additionally, there will be a Swipe2Win promotion at the Racing Promotional kiosks beginning at 11am. Guests can win free wagers, bonus points, and more!

Post Time to Be Moved to 1:45 PM for  Saturday and Sunday Beginning May 21

A modification to the weekend post times for the 2022 Thoroughbred meet will go into effect this Saturday. The first race will begin at 1:45 pm (Central) on Saturday and Sunday and remain at 3:05 pm for the Monday and Tuesday cards. Projected post times are as follows:

 

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY POST TIMES , FIRST POST:  1:45 PM (CST)

Race 1- 1:45 pm

Race 2- 2:13 pm

Race 3- 2:41 pm

Race 4- 3:09 pm

Race 5- 3:37 pm

Race 6- 4:05 pm

Race 7- 4:33 pm

MONDAY AND TUESDAY POST TIMES , FIRST POST:  3:05 PM (CST)

Race 1 3:05pm

Race 2 3:33pm

Race 3 4:01pm

Race 4 4:28pm

Race 5 4:55pm

Race 6 5:22 pm

Race 7 5:49pm

 

Gino Buccola Joins Louisiana Downs as Racing Analyst

Louisiana Downs is pleased to welcome Gino Buccola as their on-air analyst, joining track announcer John McGary to preview each  of the live Thoroughbred races. He will offer his pre-race selections, post-race analysis as well as  Pick 4 plays. The California native was an analyst at TVG before branching out on his own and coordinating a variety of racing and sports experts to appear on his popular and entertaining That’s What G Said Podcast.

Exotic Animal Racing Returns on Monday, May 30

Memorial Day will mark the return of the wildly popular Exotic Animal Races, featuring Ostrich, Camel and Zebra races as well as Thoroughbred races to entertain fans of all ages. Family activities on the trackside apron begin at 11:00 am with Face Painting, a Bounce House, Water Slide and more!  Some of the top Food trucks in the Shreveport/BossierCity metroplex will be onsite throughout the afternoon. For more information, visit ladowns.com.

Trainer and  Jockey Standings

Shane Wilson, who was honored as 2021 Louisiana Down leading trainer, is off to a great start with seven wins. Joey Foster and Greg Tracy are tied for second in the standings with six wins each and Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen follows with four victories to date.  Jose Guerrero has the early lead in the rider standings with nine wins since the meet began on May 7. Last year’s leading jockey Carlos Lozada is second with eight trips to the winner’s circle, followed by Emanuel Nieves (seven wins) and Joel Dominguez (five victories). Another prominent addition to the Louisiana Downs jockey colony is Calvin Borel. The Louisiana native has won 5,265 races in his 39-year career, but is most famous for his rail-skimming ride aboard Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby.

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.

Recovered From Foot Bruise, Un Ojo ‘On The Right Track’ For Preakness Try

by Maryland Jockey Club Press Office

 

Un Ojo at Churchill Downs with Clay Courville

Forced to bypass the Kentucky Derby because of a minor but untimely foot bruise, Un Ojo’s team believes the gelding will be ready to put his best hoof forward in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.

Un Ojo jogged twice around Churchill Downs’ mile track Monday morning under Clay Courville, assistant to his dad, Louisiana-based trainer Ricky Courville, while also serving as exercise rider, groom and hotwalker when their stable star is on the road.

“He’s doing good. He’s been training good, been back to the track three times now,” Clay Courville said. “He’s on the right track, moving forward. He wanted to gallop. I decided to give him another day of jogging and I’ll gallop him (Tuesday) morning. The foot seems good. He’s hitting the ground well, traveling well. We’ll gallop tomorrow and see how he is.”

The one-eyed Un Ojo was withdrawn from the Derby the morning that entries were taken, five days before the Churchill Downs classic.

“It was tough,” Clay Courville said. “It was hard to do, but it was the right thing for the horse. If everything goes well, we’ll be on to the Preakness. He’s scheduled to work on Saturday morning. We’ll see how he is after that and decide what to do.”

Courville said his dad has never raced a horse at Pimlico but that he came to Old Hilltop when trainer Eric Guillot asked him to help out with Laoban, who finished sixth in the 2016 Preakness.

“I was working for my dad when Mr. Eric called me and gave me the opportunity to travel and come up with him and get on the horse for the Preakness,” he said. “I took advantage of it and went. It was just cool to be up there and experience new things as a young kid.”

Clay Courville, now 25, can appreciate Rich Strike’s Kentucky Derby victory at 80-1 odds after drawing into the field at literally the last minute to carry the banner for the “little guy.” Rich Strike is only the second graded-stakes winner for trainer Eric Reed, in a career that began in 1985 and includes 1,445 victories through Sunday. Un Ojo won Oaklawn Park’s $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at 75-1 to give Ricky Courville his first graded-stakes score.

“I was extremely happy for their connections,” Clay Courville said of the Rich Strike team. “I feel people like that deserve it, people who work hard and don’t have a lot of horses like that, like most people don’t. They take pride in their work, and I like seeing people like that win.”

Still, Clay Courville acknowledged of the Derby: “It kind of sucked watching it, because I was like, ‘Man, it set up perfect for our type of horse: the hot pace and all the closers came running.’ You never know.”

PREAKNESS 146 TO INCLUDE LIMITED CAPACITY FAN ATTENDANCE ON SATURDAY, MAY 15

BALTIMORE, MD1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club announced today that Preakness 146 will run with a socially distant, limited crowd of 10,000 in attendance when it returns as the second jewel of the Triple Crown Series on Saturday, May 15 to Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The decision to include fans was made in consultation with and by approval of local and state health and governmental authorities and includes the approval for a limited number of fans for Black-Eyed Susan Day on Friday, May 14.

A limited number of tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, April 5. Tickets will be available for Preakness Day and Black-Eyed Susan Day at www.preakness.com, by emailing tix@preakness.com or by calling the Preakness 146 Box Office toll-free at 1-877-206-8042, Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET.

As a result of the enhanced health protocols and required social distancing guidelines, the seating manifest has been changed to reflect altered ticket options and viewing locations. Existing ticket holders, those who opted to carry over their tickets from Preakness 145 due to COVID-19 restrictions, will have the opportunity to relocate to the nearest equivalent seating area for this year’s event beginning on March 24.

“We are thrilled to be able to welcome fans back to Pimlico Race Course for Preakness 146,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, 1/ST. “While fan attendance will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols, the excitement of the Preakness is not limited. The 1/ST team has worked tirelessly and in cooperation with Baltimore City and the State of Maryland to thoughtfully and safely prepare for an exciting and memorable day of world-class Thoroughbred horse racing and entertainment.”

In full consideration for the health and safety of guests, horsemen, those on the backstretch and employees, 1/ST EXPERIENCE will deliver an entirely re-imagined entertainment and curated hospitality experience inclusive of COVID-19 protocols.  From indoor dining in the Grandstand to premium outdoor viewing from the 1/ST Turn Suites and the iconic Turfside Terrace, guests will enjoy everything the Preakness has to offer in safety. Corporate Village Suites will feature luxury open air cabanas, lounge seating and the best race day views from their new spot on the home stretch. Individual tickets range in price from $150 to $500 with pricing available on request for suites.

“I want to thank 1/ST and The Maryland Jockey Club for working to ensure that all the proper safety and public health protocols will be in place for Preakness 146,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Having fans back at Pimlico is another sign we are on the road back to normal, and I look forward to once again presenting the Woodlawn Vase.”

“The Preakness is a Baltimore staple and the center of American horseracing since 1870. I am excited to welcome fans back to Pimlico Race Course in Park Heights,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Sustaining the health and safety of Baltimore residents is my top priority, and I am confident the staff at 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club will protect the health of fans by following the safety guidelines set forth by the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland.”

Preakness 146 weekend will open with Black-Eyed Susan Day on Friday, May 14 and will once again feature the $250,000 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2). This year will mark the 97th running of this historic race. Last year, 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club announced the renaming of this race to honor the late George E. Mitchell and his work within the Park Heights community. The 146th running of the $1 million Preakness Stakes (G1) will take place on Saturday, May 15 as part of an incredible weekend featuring the finest contenders in Thoroughbred horse racing who will compete for a total of $3.25 million in purse winnings.

NBC Sports will broadcast Preakness 146 live on NBC from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET on race day, Saturday, May 15, with extended coverage beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, InfieldFest, the beloved annual music festival tradition at the Preakness that brings together fans for legendary performances, unique hospitality and curated activations, will not proceed as usual. Instead, 1/ST EXPERIENCEwill introduce a new, socially distant live component, Preakness LIVE, that will run concurrently with the NBC broadcast and will be livestreamed featuring musical entertainment that will celebrate Baltimore’s richness and diversity. Tickets for Preakness LIVE will be announced in the coming weeks.

Since the outset of the pandemic, 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club have implemented stringent, industry-leading COVID-19 health and safety protocols to protect the community, riders, horsemen, those who work on the backstretch and 1/ST employees. COVID-19 protocols for Preakness 146 will include non-invasive thermal temperature scans on guest arrival, expedited entry for fully vaccinated guests, enforced physical distancing and queue line markers, increased sanitation throughout the facility, accessible hand sanitization stations and a mandatory masking policy. Preakness 146 health and safety protocols can be found here:  Click here to view.

Wagering on Preakness 146 can be enjoyed regardless of where fans are viewing the race day card with handicapping tools available on the 1/ST BET app. Part of the 1/ST TECHNOLOGY suite of handicapping and betting products, 1/ST BET is changing the game by delivering a user-friendly experience that suits everyone from the experienced horseplayer to the first-timer.

For more information on Preakness 146, please click here or follow the excitement on social media @PreaknessStakes and #Preakness.

Albarado to Ride Swiss Skydiver in Preakness

Trainer Kenny McPeek has assigned a new jockey to Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Swiss Skydiver for the Oct. 3 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course. Robby Albarado will have the call on Peter Callahan’s Daredevil  filly.

Tyler Gaffalione piloted Swiss Skydiver to victory in the Aug. 15 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course and was back aboard for the Sept. 4 Oaks at Churchill Downs. McPeek did not confirm Swiss Skydiver for the Preakness until Sept. 26 following the filly’s five-furlong breeze in 1:00 4/5 at the Louisville track. The Daily Racing Form reported that Gaffalione’s agent, Matt Muzikar, arranged mounts for his rider at the Keeneland meet, which opens Oct. 2, while waiting for McPeek to commit Swiss Skydiver to the Preakness.

The final jewel of the 2020 Triple Crown will be the first race Albarado will have on Swiss Skydiver. The jockey won the Preakness in 2007 aboard future Hall of Famer Curlin .

Read BloodHorse Article

Evelyn Benoit’s Wild About Star Brings National Attention to the Louisiana Breeding Program

Star Guitar Filly Scores in the Very One Stakes on the Preakness Undercard

RACE 9 THE VERY ONE STAKES-97
Louisiana-bred Wild About Star wins The Very One Stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard. Steve Queen photo.

by Gary McMillen
Steve Queen photos

Close your eyes. Imagine Evelyn Benoit speechless.

RACE 9 THE VERY ONE STAKES-115
Evelyn Benoit, makes her way to the winners circle following the victory of her homebred Wild About Star in The Very One Stakes. Steve Queen photo.

Seldom at a loss for words—Benoit lost her voice for three days after Brittlyn Stable’s home-bred Wild About Star won the $100,000 The Very One stakes on May 14 at Pimlico Race Course on the undercard of the Preakness Stakes.  

Benoit was with her 5-year-old Star Guitar mare in the shed row at Delaware Park the night before the race. “I went straight from the airport to the barn,” Benoit recalls. “It was 10 o’clock at night and she was cleaning up a bucket of oats and molasses. Her color and attitude were great. She looked amazing. You could tell she was sitting on a big race.”

RACE 9 THE VERY ONE STAKES-65

Trained by Venezuelan-born Jose Camejo, Wild About Star shipped in to Pimlico on the morning of the race. From the first crop of Star Guitar, Wild About Star had previously done all of her racing in Louisiana. Going five furlongs on the turf and breaking from an outside post, Wild About Star made a statement for Louisiana-breds on the national scene. Three wide on the turn, Wild About Star chased the early pace before taking command at the 1/8th pole and drew off to win by daylight.

It may not have been good for her vocal cords, but for Benoit, winning a $100,000 stakes on the Preakness undercard was a dream come true. “From the time I landed at Delaware Park until we were in the winner’s circle I was treated like royalty,” Benoit recalls of the experience. “Every single person we met in Baltimore was kind and accommodating. Day or night the management and staff at Pimlico allowed us access to everything.” 

RACE 9 THE VERY ONE STAKES-96

“The atmosphere at the track was incredible. The place was packed,” Benoit continued. “The whole day was one big party just like the Kentucky Derby. The crowd was really into it. The enthusiasm was off the charts.”

In the party atmosphere and media attention, Benoit never made it back to her reserved seat in the clubhouse to watch the race. “People that I had never seen in my life came up and wanted to talk,” she explained. “When I walked out of the paddock I couldn’t find a place to stand.”

Benoit is no stranger to traveling to stakes venues and being on hand to root for her horses. “In forty years I don’t think there has been more than two occasions when I was not present,” she says. “It is very important to me. I just keep trying to promote horse racing in any way that I can. No matter what other business ventures I am involved with, horse racing has my maximum attention.”

RACE 9 THE VERY ONE STAKES-127

Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year four times, the top money earning Louisiana-bred in history and winner of 24 of 30 starts, Star Guitar is the glue that holds Benoit’s racing stable together. “From the very beginning I knew that Star Guitar was the best horse I ever bred,” Benoit says. “From the day he started racing my bond with him grew stronger and got me through some tough personal times.”

For Benoit, winning The Very One stakes on the Preakness undercard was exhilarating but she is not one to dwell in the past. “I can’t say enough about my trainer Jose Camejo and his racing team,” Benoit explains. “They are so thrilled and committed to the progeny of Star Guitar. I’m looking forward to finding more quality mares to breed to Star Guitar. Just wait until you see the next batch.” 

RACE 9 THE VERY ONE STAKES-147

  

 

Louisiana-bred Star Guitar racemare, Wild About Star, Scores Open Stakes Win on the Pimlico Undercard

RACE 9 THE VERY ONE STAKES-97
Louisiana-bred Wild About Star wins The Very One Stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard. Steve Queen photo.

Brittlyn Stable’s Wild About Star, racing for the first time outside of her native Louisiana, came with a sweeping move on the outside and stormed down the center of the track to pass favored Jo Jo Air to win Saturday’s $100,000 The Very One at Pimlico Race Course.

RACE 9 THE VERY ONE STAKES-115
Evelyn Benoit, makes her way to the winners circle following the victory of her homebred Wild About Star in The Very One Stakes. Steve Queen photo.

“I am wild about Star!” said winning owner Evelyn Benoit. “It took me about 40 years to get a stallion. Star Guitar is the Louisiana stallion of the year, and I own the mare and we have a lot of babies.  This is what I’ve been trying to do, not only promote Louisiana racing but horse racing for everyone, to show that Louisiana and women and women in my position can do this. It was very difficult. I never had a horse super enough to be a stallion. Gosh, it’s just a dream. To win an open stakes here in this beautiful state of Maryland, it means everything to me. I’m so thrilled, couldn’t be any happier if I won the Preakness. You have no idea, this is like the biggest dream in my life come true.”

The 20th running of the five-furlong The Very One for fillies and mares on the grass was among nine stakes, five graded, worth $2.8 million on a 14-race program highlighted by the 144th Preakness Stakes (G1), the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.

Ridden by Daniel Centeno, Wild About Star ($13) won in 56.93 seconds over a firm turf course.

It was the first career stakes win for Louisiana-bred Wild About Star, a 5-year-old Star Guitar mare making her first start for trainer Jose Camejo. Wild About Star chased even-money favorite Jo Jo Air through a quarter-mile in 22.88 seconds before forging a short lead on the turn and pulling away to a 1 ¾-length triumph. Jo Jo Air stayed up for second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Misericordia. Eye On Berlin finished fourth.

Wild About Star has six wins from 15 career starts and is 5-for-11 lifetime going five furlongs on grass.

“(Benoit) wanted to promote the stallion all over the place, so she decided to run (Wild About Star) here after she worked,” said Camejo. “She was feeling really good. She was ready for this race.”

Benoit said the mare’s success is a big boost for Star Guitar, who stands at Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana, where his 2019 fee was $7,500.

“She’s out of his first crop, and I’ve wanted to have this opportunity in front of a large crowd to show that in Louisiana we can breed nice horses,” the owner/breeder said.

 

TRAINER BECKY J. LEBLANC SADDLES HER FIRST WINNER MONDAY, MAY 14 AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS

Bossier City, LA – Monday, May14 was a very good day for trainer Becky LeBlanc. Just two months after getting her trainer’s license, she shipped in two horses to Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and won her first career race. On, Tuesday, May 15, she added a second win!

 

Born and raised in Sioux City, Nebraska, LeBlanc native fell in love with horses at an early age and spent her summers working and grooming at various farms. She relished the demanding work; everything from mucking stalls to cleaning tack and credited Nebraska horseman Harlan Norman for teaching her the ropes.

 

“He taught me everything I know,” said LeBlanc.

 

So after graduating from high school, LeBlanc began her pursuit of a career in the racing industry. She has been an assistant trainer since 1990, working for a number of horsemen. Owner Thomas Holyfield got to know LeBlanc when she was serving as an assistant to trainer Keith Bourgeois and encouraged her to go out on her own.

 

On March 10, she took out her trainer license and set up a 12 horse stable at Evangeline Downs. Fittingly, her first win came for Holyfield in Monday’s third race at Louisiana Downs when Opportunity Cost won the mile and one-seventy yard claiming event under jockey Thomas Pompell.

 

Track announcer John McGary recognized her achievement and tweeted that Opportunity Cost, a son of Tapit and $400,000 Keeneland sale purchase, was making his first start since October 17.

 

LeBlanc admits the handsome gray gelding didn’t always keep his focus, but ran a very good race Monday, sustaining his lead against the race favorite.

 

“He’s a big feeler in the barn,” LeBlanc said. “He likes to bite and play, but that’s what makes him happy!”

 

One day after winning her first career race, LeBlanc returned to the Bossier City racetrack and scored with another horse owned and bred by Holyfield. She’screative, a filly by Creative Cause, captured Tuesday’s fourth race, a $17,500 optional allowance claimer. Pompell was in the saddle as she drew off to a 2 ¼ length victory.

 

“She’s my baby girl,” admitted LeBlanc. “After breaking her maiden in her first start, she won the D.S. Shine Young Futurity (at Evangeline Downs). She ran her little heart out on Tuesday.”

 

LeBlanc, 48, married her husband, retired jockey Kirk LeBlanc in 2011. The former top rider on the Louisiana circuit is now a jockey agent at the Opelousas, Louisiana racetrack and handles the business for riders Pompell and Alfredo Contreras.

 

After cooling out her filly Tuesday afternoon, LeBlanc loaded both horses for the four-hour trip back to Evangeline. No big celebrations were planned as she recognizes that winning two races back-to-back is not the norm for a new trainer.

 

“It was a big step, and I wasn’t sure I was ready,” acknowledged LeBlanc. “But this was a very nice two days!  I’ve been blessed.”

 

Simulcast of the 143rd Preakness Stakes on Saturday

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will offer an exciting afternoon of racing on Saturday, May 19 with seven live races and the simulcast of the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Fans can watch and wager as Justify, conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert goes for the second jewel in Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

 

Post Time for the first live race at Louisiana Downs is 3:15pm! The full card at Pimlico will be simulcast with the Preakness scheduled to run at 5:20 pm(Central). The Harrah’s Club will offer an All You Can Eat Buffet for just $39.99 this Saturday. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 800-551-7223 or 318-752-6367.

 

Trainer, Jockey and Owner Standings

Through the first eight days of the 2018 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred season, trainer Joe O. Duhon tops his fellow conditioners with four wins. Jorge Lara, Dana Whited and Danny Pish have each saddled three winners.

 

As expected, a very tight battle for leading jockey is off and running! Four riders are tied with five wins each. Last year’s leading jockey Gerardo Mora, Richard Eramia, Eddie Martin, Jr. and Joel Dominguez are each off to a solid start for the meet.  Kevin Smith, Emanuel Nieves and Eguard Tejera follow closely with four wins.

 

Dream Walkin Farms, Inc has won three races to take the early lead in the owner standings. Brittlyn Stable Inc,, Thomas L. Holyfield, P and D Racing Stables and Lara Racing Stables, Inc. follow with two wins each.

 

Wednesday and Saturday Race Day Promotions

Louisiana Downs offers value for racing fans each Wednesday with Dollar Day. They will be able to enjoy $1 hot dogs, $1 beer at the Paddock as well as $1 programs. Saturday’s weekly promotion is the Family Four Pack featuring four hot dogs, four sodas, a program, and a box seat for four at the affordable price of just $16.

 

The Total Rewards program is free for horseplayers. With the swipe of their card each Saturday, members will receive valuable incentives.  These include:

  • Play $250 or more to receive a 5X multiplier
  • Play $1,000 or more to receive a 7X multiplier
  • Play $5,000 or more to receive a 10X multiplier

Participant’s multiplier cannot exceed a total balance of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) Reward Credits during one promotional day after the multiplier is applied.

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.

For further information, please contact:

Trent McIntosh  |  Assistant General Manager
318-752-6980
8000 East Texas Street | Bossier City, LA 71111
www.caesars.com
Back to top
%d bloggers like this: