Category: The Winner’s Circle Church

LOUISIANA DOWNS 2023 DATES APPROVED

louisianathoroughbred

LOUISIANA DOWNS 2023 DATES APPROVED FOR THE LIVE QUARTER HORSE AND THOROUGHBRED RACING SEASON

 

The 46-Day Quarter Horse Meet Will Begin on January 5

 

Bossier City, LA – The 2023 Quarter Horse racing season at Louisiana Downs will commence on Thursday, January 5 and continue through Saturday, April 1. The dates for both the 46-day Quarter Horse meet and 2023 Thoroughbred live racing season were approved by the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) on August 23.

Opening day for the 84-day Thoroughbred meet will be Saturday, May 6 and will conclude on Tuesday, September 26. Live racing will take place Saturday through Tuesday.

Louisiana Downs will wrap its 2022 Thoroughbred meet on  Tuesday, September 27. The final condition book is available on Equibase.

“We appreciate our horsemen for their support throughout 2022 and look forward to building on momentum for both our Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred seasons next year,” said Matt Crawford, Louisiana Downs Racing Secretary.

Wiener Dog Races Set for Monday, September 5

Louisiana Downs will celebrate Labor Day with live racing, family-friendly activities on the track apron and Wiener Dog Racing. Fans of all ages are invited to enjoy Bounce Houses, live music by our house DJ, tasty treats from area Food Trucks, and even participate in a blood drive, all beginning at 11:00 am. The Wieiner Dog competition gets underway at Noon with several preliminary heats leading up to the final. Proceeds from the races will benefit the Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana. Simulcasting from racetracks across the country including Saratoga and Delmar will be offered and seven live Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred races will begin at 3:05 pm (Central). For more information, visit ladowns.com.

Louisiana Cup Day Winners Continue to Shine

Several outstanding Thoroughbreds who won stakes here on Louisiana Cup Day, were successful last weekend at Evangeline Downs. Anna Guillot’s Bisping,  who was victorious in the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile, returned to the winner’s circle the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on Saturday, August 27.

The 5 ½-furlong race for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings highlighted the card that also recognized the top horsemen of the season.

Trained by Ricky Courville and ridden by Devin Magnon, the son of El Deal, bred in Louisiana by Red River Farm LLC and J. Adcock, won his third race in four starts. He covered five and one-half furlongs in 1:05.54 over a fast track.

“He’s a lot more advanced than the average 2-year-old,” stated Magnon. “At Louisiana Downs, he broke from the two-hole, and we had a good idea of what to expect. In the Shine, he drew right in the middle, but broke super and got clear. He’s pretty automatic and very game!”

Magnon said that Bisping will ship to Delta Downs and is likely to make a start there prior to running on Louisiana Champions Day December 10 at Fair Grounds.

On Friday, August 26, Janet is Ready overcame a troubled trip to finish second in the fillies division of the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity.

Free Like a Girl who was a convincing winner in the $67,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint here on August 6, ran a game second in the $500,440 Charles Town Oaks (G2) on August 26.

Bred by retired jockey Kim Renee Stover and her sister, Lisa Osborne, the daughter of Flashy Prize, sired by El Deal, had won seven of her 14 starts for owners Gerald Bruno, Jr; Carl J, Deville; Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom. She was honored as 2021 Louisiana Thoroughbred  Breeders Association (LTBA) Champion 2-year-old filly and continues to progress through her 3-year-old campaign.

Regular rider Pedro Cotto, Jr. guided the bay filly to her runner-up finish at Charles Town, which was her third graded stakes career placing. It marked the 16th career start for Free Like a Girl, who has a record of 8 wins, four seconds, three thirds and earnings of $562,128.

Jes An Angel Leads Qualifiers to the $3-Million All American Futurity (G1)

Lance Moore’s Jes an Angel will compete in the prestigious All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day.  The filly by Jess Zoomin, bred in Texas by Jerry Windham, broke her maiden at Louisiana Downs in trials for the $324,288 Louisiana Downs Futurity (G2). She finished ninth in the final, but  was victorious the Old South Futurity at Delta Downs on May 21 before shipping to New Mexico. Her 440-yard trial win in :21.257 seconds on August 19 was the fastest clocking in the 32 heats contested over two days.

The durable filly drew post position eight for Monday’s final and will be ridden by Bryan Candanosa, who is one of the top young Quarter Horse riders in the country.

Very exciting that she made her debut at Louisiana Downs!

 

 

 

Annual Charity Golf Tournament Moved to Thursday, September 15

Louisiana Downs will host its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Northwood Hills Golf Club in Shreveport, Louisiana on Thursday,  September 15.  The event supports the Winner’s Circle Church and Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk 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 t-shirt/cap. Trophies will be presented to the first, second and third-place teams.

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, September 8. Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Winner’s Circle Church and mailed to:  Jennifer Sokol, 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.

Trainer and  Jockey Standings Through August 30

Last year’s leading conditioner Shane Wilson remains the leader in the  trainer standings with  41wins since the meet began on May 7. Joey Foster follows in second place with 30 winners and Greg Tracy is third with 27 wins. Karl Broberg rounds out the top four with 24 victories.

 

Carlos Lozada, who was honored as leading jockey here in 2021 continues to have a very successful meet and leads his fellow riders with 73trips to the winner’s circle. Jose Guerrero is second with 67 wins followed by Joel Dominguez has ridden 37 winners. Alexander Castillofollows with 36 victories and Vicente Del Cid, who won the 2022 Evangeline Downs leading rider title, is next with 35 winners.

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.

CAMEL AND OSTRICH RACES RETURN TO LOUISIANA DOWNS ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

louisianathoroughbred

Solid Handle Increase Noted on Louisiana Cup Day

 

Bossier City, LA – As a result of the enthusiast response from racing fans of all ages, Louisiana Downs will once again present Camel and Ostrich Races on Sunday, September 5. The Bossier City racetrack welcomed the exotic animals on Sunday, May 30 to the delight of the crowd. The wildly popular special event, combined with live Thoroughbred racing and simulcast racing from tracks across the country, will make for a very enjoyable Labor Day weekend outing.

 

The first live Thoroughbred race runs at 2:45 pm (Central) with the 100-yard camel race to be run following the fourth race of the afternoon (approximately 4:15 pm) and the super speedy ostriches scheduled to take to the track after race six.

 

For further details on Labor Day weekend racing and festivities at Louisiana Downs, click HERE.

 

Louisiana Cup Day Handle Success

Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 21 featured six $50,000 stakes for Louisiana Thoroughbreds. The annual afternoon of racing salutes the breeders, owners, trainersand jockeys who give so much to the Louisiana Thoroughbred industry. It was also an excellent day regarding handle with a total of $1,440,039 million wagered on the seven-race card.  That represented an increase from the 2020 Louisiana Cup day handle of $1,210,487 with eight races on the program.

 

Officials had requested permission from the Louisiana State Racing Commission to offer the Pick 5 wager with a mandatory payout. With the carryover of $349,000heading into August 21, the pool reached $476,970.  Plenty of handicappers put together winning tickets and were rewarded with a payout of $3,353.

 

Race 3     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff                              Net a Bear                   $4.40

Race 4     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                             True Deal                    $12.60

Race 5     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                                Chu Chu’s Legacy      $15.80

Race 6     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic                      Carlea’s Dream           $5.80

Race 7     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint          Strong Beauty             $10.80

 

“We were very pleased with this year’s Louisiana Cup Day,” said David Heitzmann, Louisiana Downs Director of Racing. “We were able to run stakes on the main track as well as the turf and  our horseplayers responded very well to the Pick 5 wager which boosted our handle for the day. We thank our horsemen and fans for their support of our premier day of racing!”

 

Registration Still Open for the Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Louisiana Downs will host its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Northwood Hills Golf 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 Trainer, Jockey and Owner Standings

Through August 24, Shane Wilson leads his fellow conditioners with 42 wins since the 2021 Thoroughbred meet began on May 1.  Joey Foster has saddled 32 winners and Joe Duhon rounds out the top three with 27 wins.

 

Joel Dominguez, who won the title last year, is currently on top of the jockey standings with 67 wins. Also having an excellent meet is 2019 leading rider Carlos Lozada with 65 victories and Emanuel Nieves with 59 trips to the winner’s circle.

 

Competition is also very tight in the battle for leader owner with Wayne T. Davis in the lead with 21 wins. End Zone Athletics Inc. follows with 18 victories and Dream Walkin Farms Inc. is in third place with 16 wins.

 

Live racing takes place Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until the conclusion of the 2021 Thoroughbred meet on Tuesday, September 21.

 

About 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.

 

LOUISIANA DOWNS PAYS TRIBUTE TO TRAINER STEVE ASMUSSEN AFTER HE SURPASSED DALE BAIRD’S RECORD OF 9,445 WINS ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

louisianathoroughbred

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.

 

NOMINATIONS CLOSED FOR LOUISIANA CUP DAY AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS

louisianathoroughbred

Seven Stakes to be Contested on Saturday, August 4

 Bossier City, LA – Nominations for the annual Louisiana Cup Day at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs on Saturday, August 4 have closed with solid interest from local and nationally prominent horsemen.

The Louisiana Cup Day program will feature six divisional stakes for accredited Louisiana-breds and the $60,000 Super Derby Preludefor 3-year-olds going a mile and one-sixteenth on the main track. The winner will earn a berth to the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby on Sunday, September 2, which is the richest race of the 2018 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred racing season.

The Super Derby Prelude closed with 22 nominations with current Louisiana Downs leading trainer Al Stall, Jr. pointing the undefeated Autumn Warrior to the stakes. Owned and bred by Robert Guidry’s Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables Inc., the son of Orb out of the Posse mare, Kinsolving broke his maiden here on May 5 and advanced directly into stakes company. He captured the $50,000 Lafayette Stakes for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds at Evangeline Downs by an impressive margin of 6-3/4 lengths.  This will be the first start around two turns, but Stall, who has won 15 races so far this meet at Louisiana Downs, points to the pedigree of Autumn Warrior.

“He’s by Orb, who won the Kentucky Derby, and he’s got a big, long stride,” Stall told Mary Rampellini of the Daily Racing Form

Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen has nominated three runners to the Prelude. They include Dream Baby Dream, a colt by Into Mischief who ran seventh in the Grade 1, Arkansas Derby for Dream Baby Dream Stable. The lightly raced Full of Run is owned by Gary and Mary West and has made just four career starts, most notably in the Champagne Stakes last October at Belmont Park. Orbatron, a son Orb, ran fourth in the Ellis Park Juvenile for owner Lee Levinson and hit the board in each of his four starts at Lone Star Park.

Rosemont Farm’s homebred Zanesville has been nominated by trainer Tom Amoss. The son of Tiznow began his career in Kentucky, breaking his maiden earlier this year at Delta Downs. He shipped to Prairie Meadows and ran third in the $65,000 Prairie Mile on June 8. 

Analyze This Jet, who ran fourth in the Prairie Mile, has been nominated by trainer Terry Eoff   who co-owns the Kentucky-bred son of Overanalyze with Johnny Evans. He won the El Joven Stakes at Retama Park last October.

Trainer Robert Schultz has nominated Double Star for the $60,000 Prelude. Owned by Four Star Racing, the son of Star Guitar out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Bond Queen, has won four of his 12 career efforts, including two stakes earlier this year at Evangeline Downs.

Trainer Victor Arceneaux was on the fence regarding Testing One Two, a multiple-stakes winning filly by Star Guitar. .Bred and owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc., she has won five of her eight career efforts and most recently ran a game third in the Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows.

“We have several races on the map for this filly and think very highly of her,” said Arceneaux. “I just don’t know if she’s ready to face the boys just yet.”

He indicated that Bermuda Star, a 4-year-old filly also owned by Evelyn Benoit’s Brittlyn Stable, LLC, will run in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff.

Last week, an announcement was made regarding a $10,000 purse increase for each of the Louisiana Cup Day stakes for accredited Louisiana-breds. Trainer H. B. Johnson has three runners pointed to Louisiana Cup Day, including Berniestrike, defending champion in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic. The veteran conditioner was pleased with the news.

“It’s a good thing,” said Johnson. “As local trainers, we appreciate that.”

The draw for the seven features on Louisiana Cup Day will take place on Saturday, July 28. The stakes are as follows:

 

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        Six furlongs

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             Six furlongs

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff                      3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 Super Derby Prelude                         3 Y0                                        1 1/16 miles

 

Scholarship Drawings Set for Louisiana Cup Day

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The drawings will be between the fifth and sixth races. The races begin at 3:15 p.m. and the student must be there to register between 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.at the designated registration booth.

The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2018.

Must be in good standing with the college or university.

Must be present at the drawing location to win.

Must have university ID number or Social Security number.

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.

 

Super Derby Charity Golf Tournament Set for August 23

The Super Derby Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, August 23, at Querbes Golf Course in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The event will benefit Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk & The Winner’s Circle Church, which provides assistance to the Louisiana racing community and backstretch workers. It serves as one of the special events saluting the annual Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby, the marquee race of the Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred season, set for Sunday, September 2.

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.

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. 

The deadline for registration is August 16. Hole sponsorships for $100, including a sign, are available, but must be purchased by August 1.

For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol, Louisiana Downs Racing Office Manager at (318) 741-2512.

 

Post Times and Stakes Schedule

Live racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday with a 3:15 p.m. (Central) post time through September 27. The 84-day meet will include 14 stakes highlighted by two major events, Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 4 and Super Derby Day on Sunday, September 2.  To see a complete list of the 2018 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, click here.

 

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.

 

NOMINATIONS FOR LOUISIANA CUP DAY AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS CLOSE SATURDAY, JULY 21

louisianathoroughbred

Bossier City, LA – The Louisiana Downs racing office is busy this week taking nominations for Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 4. Nominations for the seven stakes will close this Saturday, July 21.

Trainer H. B. Johnson has three runners pointed to Louisiana Cup Day, including Berniestrike, who pulled the upset in last year’s$50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic. Bred and owned by James Boyd,  the son of Wilburn out of the Unusual Heat mare Unusual Strike wore down his rivals under rider Eguard Tejera.

 Sent off at 22-1, Berniestrike, who ran third in the 2016 edition of this stakes, paid $46.20 for the victory. He won off an eight-month layoff last year and will be making his first stakes in six months,as his last race was the Dixie Poker Ace on March 3 at Fair Grounds.

“He ran in New Orleans and got hurt, so we had to give him some time off,” said Johnson. “I think he’ll do well again; turf is his best surface.”

The 5-year-old gelding has won four of his 19 starts, earning $169,470 to date.

His half-brother Jimi’s a Star, also owned and bred by Boyd, will make his stakes debut in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile. Sired by Star Guitar out of Unusual Strike, he ran a game second to Liaisons Halo in a $23,000 maiden special weight here on July 9. Jockey Emanuel Nieves had the call.

“He’s a pretty nice horse,” said Johnson. “In his debut, he was a little erratic, but came running late. I think he’ll improve in his second start.”

Johnson’s third runner is Smokin’ Truth, who is slated to run in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint. The 3-year-old son of Yes Its True is co-owned by Johnson and Drop 23, LLC. He ran third in the 2017 Louisiana Cup Juvenile and eighth in the Sunday Silence here on Super Derby Day.

Another veteran trainer Robert Schultz has nominated Double Star for the $60,000 Prelude. Owned by Four Star Racing, the son of Star Guitar out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Bond Queen, has won four of his 12 career efforts, including two stakes earlier this year at Evangeline Downs. Schultz shipped the bay colt to Louisiana Downs and ran him in a turf allowance on July 6, where he finished sixth.

“Either he didn’t like the turf or facing that company, it wasn’t his best race,” stated Schultz. “Sometimes 3-year-olds get funny when they are up against older horses.”

Schultz looks for a good performance from Double Star, who will be ridden by Jose Guerrero.

“He’s been on him all but once,” he added. “Jose is a good, young rider.”

 

Mary Rampellini of the Daily Racing Form broke the news that Analyze This Jet is being pointed to the Prelude by his trainer, Terry Eoff.  The stakes winner has been gelded since running fourth in the $65,000 Prairie Mile at Prairie Meadows June 8.

The Prelude serves as a prep for the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby which will be run on Sunday, September 2.

 

Louisiana Cup Day nominations for the following stakes close on July 21.

$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)

$60,000 Super Derby Prelude                         3 Y0                                        1 1/16 miles

 

Super Derby Charity Golf Tournament Set for August 23

The Super Derby Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, August 23, at Querbes Golf Course in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The event will benefit Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk & The Winner’s Circle Church, which provides assistance to the Louisiana racing community and backstretch workers. It serves as one of the special events saluting the annual Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby, the marquee race of the Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred season, set for Sunday, September 2.

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.

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.

The deadline for registration is August 16. Hole sponsorships for $100, including a sign, are available, but must be purchased by August 1.

For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol, Louisiana Downs Racing Office Manager at (318) 741-2512.

 

Post Times and Stakes Schedule

Live racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday with a 3:15 p.m. (Central) post time through September 27. The 84-day meet will include 14 stakes highlighted by two major events, Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 4and Super Derby Day on Sunday, September 2. As previously announced one major change for the upcoming season is that the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby will return to the main track at a distance of a mile and one-sixteenth on Sunday, September 2.

 

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.