Super Tuesday Pick 4 Debuts on Tuesday, June 25
Bossier City, LA – Things are going very well for jockey Carlos Lozada so far this season at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.
Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, a municipality south of San Juan, Lozada learned his craft in Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school with a noted list of riders that have reached the top ranks in North America. Irad Ortiz, Jr, Jose Ortiz as well as 2018 Harrah’s Louisiana Downs top-ranked rider, Emanuel Nieves, all graduated from the school.
Lozada, 34, made his United States debut at Evangeline Downs in 2007. He has won 490 races over the last 12 years, and is off to an excellent 13th year on the Louisiana circuit.
He is the current leading jockey at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs with 40 wins since the meet began on May 4. Lozada has made 14 more trips to the winner’s circle than fellow riders Joel Dominguez and Richard Eramia. Last year’s champion, Nieves is sidelined with a broken arm.
Lozada appreciates the hard work of his agent, Ronald Ardoin, in booking him quality mounts for each live race day. He rides for a multitude of trainers including Joey Foster, Joe Duhon, John Henry Prather, Jr., James Hodges, Raul Rangel and Alfonso Banderas.
On May 20, Lozada rode three winners for three different barns, including a game victory in the seventh aboard Come On Get Higher ($14.60) for Rangel. The 5-year-old Louisiana-bred gelding was tenth by five lengths in the early stages before Lozada guided him to a neck victory in the one-mile turf event.
The horsemen all concur that Lozada is a skilled rider with an excellent work ethic.
“He’s a good jockey and comes to work every day,” said Duhon.
When it comes to turf, dirt, sprint or route races, Lozada has no preference. He just loves to ride and enjoys the challenges of each race. Ardoin, who will be inducted into the Louisiana Downs Racing Hall of Fame on July 13, is well respected in the industry and on the backside. He makes his rounds in his golf cart and Lozada is there with him each morning.
“Ronald has won over 5,000 races,” said Lozada. “That’s a lot of races! He watches me ride and sometimes gives me suggestions. It helps and we get along well. The main difference is that I would rather walk the barns than ride in the golf cart!”
Ardoin is enjoying his association with Lozada, citing just one minor flaw.
“His English is very good,” stated Ardoin. “I just wish I could get him to talk more!”
Lozada is pleased that his family is with him here this summer in Louisiana. He and his wife, Eileen, have three sons: Anthony, Jean Carlos and Jandriel. They will return to Puerto Rico when the school year gets underway.
This would be the first leading rider title for Lozada, but that honor is not his top priority.
“I’ve never won a title,” he acknowledged. “Things have been going well for me at Louisiana Downs, but I am not thinking too far ahead. I just want to try hard to win every race and provide for my family.”
Super Tuesday Pick 4 Debuts on Tuesday, June 25
A new wager, the Super Tuesday Pick 4, will be introduced on Tuesday, June 25. The wager teams two Caesar’s Entertainment racetracks: Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, which both offer Tuesday matinee racing programs. Two races from each property will be selected for the Super Tuesday, Pick 4 wager: races six and seven from Indiana Grand and races two and three from Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.
Both racetracks will offer their fans a free Pick 4 mini-program with past performances on the four races as well as selections from analysts Rachel McLaughlin and John McGary.
The Super Tuesday Pick 4 Wager with a reduced takeout of 15%, will be offered each Tuesday through September 24.
“We are excited about this wager,” said Eric Halstrom, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs vice president of operations. “Our horseplayers have been highly receptive to handicapping contests and innovative wagers, so we believe they will embrace the Super Tuesday Pick 4 with enthusiasm. It is a tremendous opportunity for both properties to attract new fans and follow the action in Louisiana and Indiana.”
Fan Vote for the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Racing Hall of Fame Open Through June 29
Harrah’s Louisiana Downs recently announced the formation of its first Racing Hall of Fame. It will honor the achievements of horse owners, trainers, jockeys, horses and property contributors who have played pivotal roles in the rich history of Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. Members of the first class are John Franks, Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., Frank L. Brothers, C. W. Walker, Ronald Ardoin, Larry Snyder, Sunday Silence and Free Spirits Joy.
Beginning on Saturday, June 15, the public will be able to cast a vote for an additional inductee in the category of trainer, jockey, racing contributor and horse. Voters can select ONE of the following nominees in each category by clicking on the following link on the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs website: http://shout.lt/bQZNV.
Voting will close on Saturday, June 29 with the Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony slated for Saturday, July 13.
No Live Racing Wednesday, June 26 Due to Addition of Thursday, July 4 Card
Harrah’s Louisiana Downs has amended its schedule for the next two weeks to include a live card on Thursday, July 4. There will be no racing on Wednesday, June 26. Live programs will continue on Saturday, June 29 and take place Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week.
On Thursday, July 4, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will host a family-friendly afternoon of live racing, kid’s activities and Exotic Animal Racing. Post time is 3:15 pm for all cards.
Indiana Horseplayer Wins the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge
Caesars Entertainment horse racing properties – Harrah’s Louisiana Downs , Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, and Harrah’s Philadelphia hosted its first-ever Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge on Saturday, June 22.
Dean Ehrgott of Camby, Indiana, who participated at Indiana Grand, was the top player, winning the $20,000 first prize by the margin of 40 cents over second place finisher Paul Napoli, who participated at Harrah’s Philadelphia and earned $10,000.
Ehrgott, a former Standardbred owner in the state of Indiana, credited his friends, Greg Gass and Deniz Sidkey, for helping him get to the top of the leaderboard. He was visible in the top 10 standings throughout the contest and was able to select Chief Red Bull in the final race offered to complete the challenge with a bankroll of $129.00 and take home the top prize. Napoli had an accumulated total of $128.60 in second place while Frederick Nielsen, also of Harrah’s Philadelphia, finished third with a balance of $127.00 to earn the $1,500 third place prize. Erghott’s second entry finished fourth with a $107.80 tally. Places four through 10 received $500 each.
“I got lucky and hit three races that paid pretty good at Philly (Harrah’s Philadelphia),” said Ehrgott. “I’m a harness guy, so going into the last race, I got help from my Thoroughbred guy and I selected the one (Chief Red Bull). He finished second and paid $3.40, which was just enough to move me into the lead. We play a lot in these types of contests,” added Ehrgott. “We play in the Santa Anita Breeders Cup $10,000 Challenge every year. We have a lot of fun traveling around.”
In addition to his $20,000 top prize, Ehrgott will also receive a seat in the 2020 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas. And, if he should win the 2020 NHC, Ehrgott would earn a $1 million bonus provided by the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge.
Players in the Caesars Rewards Handicapping Challenge made selections from all four racetracks involved in the contest. A total of 20 races were provided, 12 of which were mandatory for each player. Also, each player had to use one race from each track, making it a unique format as they played both Thoroughbred and Standardbred races during the four-hour challenge. All four racetracks had at least one player in the top ten.
“This was a great way to expose more of our Louisiana Downs customers to the Caesars Entertainment family of racetracks and do so in a very rewarding way,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president of operations at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.
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.
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