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LOUISIANA DOWNS 2022 THOROUGHBRED LIVE RACING SEASON TO GET UNDERWAY ON SATURDAY, MAY 7
Opening Day Features the Simulcast of the 148th Kentucky Derby
Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs will kick off its 2022 Thoroughbred racing season on Saturday, May 7. Opening day will feature seven live races beginning at 3:05 pm (Central) and the simulcast of the 148th Kentucky Derby.
In addition to enjoying live racing and the entire card from Churchill Downs, fans can enjoy the day from the suite level or on trackside apron with culinary delights from the most popular food trucks in Shreveport-Bossier City. Families are welcome with Face Painting, a Bounce House and other children’s games and activities, beginning at 11:00 am.
Shane Wilson Ready to Defend His Trainer Title
Shane Wilson topped his fellow conditioners in the 2021 live Thoroughbred season with 55 victories. He will return for his third year of running a string at Louisiana Downs, and is optimistic that his success will continue.
Wilson has a long history at Louisiana Downs, which began when he was 14-years-old hot walker for the legendary Jack Van Berg. He saddled his first winner in 1998 and had the best year of career last year.The Haughton, Louisiana resident won 79 races, with a 50% in the money statistic and purses in excess of $1.4 million.
“Each horse is so different,” stated Wilson. “What I love about claiming horses is figuring out what someone else hasn’t!”
A perfect example was in February, 2021 with Emerald Forest who Wilson claimed from Joe Sharp for $15,000 at Fair Grounds. It was one of Wilson’s toughest conversations as owner Wayne T. Davis was not on board. However, Wilson was strongly convinced that the gelding by Gemologist was not suited for the turf and would fare better on the main track.
His intuition of the Louisiana-bred was rewarded with a maiden special weight victory on April 6 andwins in three of his four starts at Louisiana Downs. On July 13, he set a new seven-furlong track record of 1:21.07, drawing off by ten-lengths under jockey Jose Guerrero.
Knowing each horse well is the foundation of the Wilson blueprint. His top earner, Grade 3 winner,Mocito Rojo ($901,063), will run this year with his first official work coming soon.
Wilson gives credit to his owners for their tremendous support. In addition to Wayne T. Davis, who was the 2021 leading owner at Louisiana Downs, he has long term associations with Jim Reeves as well as David and Kevin Fontenot.
“They have all trusted me with their horses, and each care deeply for me and my family,” added Wilson, whose wife Becky is and integral part of his operation. Their two sons, Peyton and, Connor, who attend LSU, help out when they can.
Wilson also shows his loyalty to jockey Jose Guerrero, who will ride first call for the barn this meet, as well as Jack Gilligan who is named on five mounts this weekend.
“Jose has the talent, works hard and is a very strong finisher,” he explained. “Jack is returning to Louisiana Downs, and I feel he will be a good fit for our stable.”
The competition for the training title will be fierce with Joey Foster, the runner-up last year returning with a full barn. Joe Duhon, Karl Broberg, Steve Asmussen, H. B. Johnson, Ronnie Ward, Philip Dison, Jose Camejo, Patti Turner, H. B. Johnson, Patrick Mouton, Judy Beavin, Lee Thomas, Alfonso Balderas and Rylee Grudizien will also run this season.
Mitch Dennison is the newly appointed General Manager of Racing and is pleased with the support of returning horsemen as well as several new conditioners who have applied for stalls this season. Dennison and his team will host a Horsemen’s Lunch on Wednesday, May 4 at 11:00 am in the Sky Box, located on the fourth floor of the facility.
“Louisiana Downs owner Kevin Preston and I are committed to listening to the needs of our horsemen and working closely with them to ensure a successful live racing season,” said Dennison. “Our meetings have been very productive, and we look forward to an excellent opening weekend!”
Carlos Lozada Leads a Strong Jockey Colony
Carlos Lozada who won his first title here in 2019, clinched top honors once again last year. The 37-year-old native of Puerto Rico began riding in the United States in 2007 after attending Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school with a noted list of riders, including Irad Ortiz Jr and his brother, Jose Ortiz.
Lozada will be joined by 2020 leading rider Joel Dominguez and 2020 Louisiana Downs top-ranked jockey, Emanuel Nieves. On opening weekend, fans will also see Jack Gilligan, Pedro Cotto, Jr., Juan Vargas, Alexander Castillo, and female riders Erica Murray, Maria Baca and Brianne Cup.
New This Season at Louisiana Downs
In addition to live and simulcast racing, Louisiana Downs has on onsite casino as well as a Sports Wagering hub. The Club 74 rewards program is free to join and offers racing and casino players an array of perks and incentives. Family-friendly promotions, including the popular Exotic Animal Races, featuring Camels, Ostriches and Zebras will take place on May 30.
Louisiana Downs Racing Dates and Post Time
The 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs will commence on Saturday, May 7. The 84-day live racing season will run Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday through September 27. Post time will be 3:05 pm (Central). 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.
Lanerie Pursues Elusive ‘Big One’ in Kentucky Derby
By Byron King
Like most jockeys riding in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, Corey Lanerie has not yet tasted success in the 1 1/4-mile classic. But he has an inkling of the euphoria he might experience after threatening to win the 2017 race.
Riding the rail on late-running 33-1 longshot Lookin At Lee , Lanerie grew excited on the second turn as his mount picked off rivals from the back of the pack to pull into second in early stretch, with only Always Dreaming to catch.
Un Ojo Out of Kentucky Derby, Ethereal Road Makes Field
Rebel Stakes (G2) winner came up with bruised left fore foot after April 30 work.
Dreams of a Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) victory were dashed for some and sprang to life for others May 2 when Un Ojo was declared out of the race because of a bruised left front foot, allowing Ethereal Road to make the body of the 20-horse field.
Un Ojo’s trainer Ricky Courville confirmed the news to BloodHorse Monday.
“He came out of that work Saturday with a bruised foot and it’s just not the right thing to do to run him; he’s still a little tender on it,” Courville said. “We’ll let the dust settle … He might go to the farm here in Kentucky; he might come back home (to Louisiana), or if he’s better in a week, we might find something else for him.”
May Calendar of Events from the LTBA
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Breakin’ All The Rules: ‘Spicy’ Louisiana-Bred OTTB Ready To Tackle Her First Kentucky Three Day
by
Breakin’ All The Rules and Ellen Doughy-Hume at the Kentucky Horse Park on Tuesday, April 26
The youngest Thoroughbred competing at this weekend’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Ky., will be the 8-year-old mare Breakin’ All The Rules.
Last October, the 16.3 hand daughter of Due Date and her longtime partner, owner/rider Ellen Doughty-Hume, received the Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue Award for being the highest-placed American Thoroughbred at the CCI3*-L during the inaugural Maryland Five Star event at Fair Hill. They placed 13th on a double clear cross country round, adding only a single rail to their dressage score of 33.9.
“She’s a pretty phenomenal mare,” said Doughty-Hume, herself a multi-year veteran of the Kentucky Three Day’s highest level with Sir Oberon, a ⅞ Thoroughbred (their best finish was 14th in 2019). “She absolutely loves jumping and cross country, she’s really brave and has such natural scope and talent.”
Lifetime Bans Upheld for Buzzer-Toting Patin Brothers
By T. D. Thornton
The Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) affirmed lifetime bans for two sibling jockeys from the Patin family on Tuesday related to the brothers’ criminal convictions for possessing illegal horse-shocking devices in races at Evangeline Downs in 2015.
The hearings concluded in bizarre fashion when Joseph Patin Jr., 58, apparently slipped out of the meeting room without telling anyone after first hearing that his younger brother, Billy Patin, 53, wasn’t going to be allowed to work as an exercise rider despite Billy previously agreeing to a lifetime ban of his license as a jockey.
LSRC commissioner Eddie Delahoussaye, a retired Hall of Fame jockey, addressed Billy Patin directly prior to the vote on his request. But he then launched into an admonition aimed at all jockeys who cheat and harm the reputation of the sport.
Louisiana Commissioners Lengthen Penalties For Trainers In Zilpaterol Cases
‘This Is No Mistake’: Louisiana Commissioners Lengthen Penalties For Trainers In Zilpaterol Cases
Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La.
Racing commissioners in Louisiana took penalties for zilpaterol overages one step farther in a lengthy meeting April 26, extending the already-significant suspensions handed out by stewards a few weeks earlier.
The commission considered eight positives from trainer Rosendo Valdez, four from Lanny Keith, four from Manuel Pizana, three from Manuel Macias, and two from Fernando Lopez. The overages were part of a flood of recent zilpaterol positives in the state.
Zilpaterol is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in horses. Instead, it is a drug approved for use in beef cattle to promote weight gain and lean muscle mass. It’s commonly administered as a feed-through product when given to cows.
Mitch Dennison Named General Manager of Racing at LouisIana Downs
2022 Thoroughbred Meet Gets Underway on Saturday, May 7
Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs is pleased to announce that
has been hired as General Manager of Racing. Owner Kevin Preston created the position as part of his mission to revitalize the Bossier City racetrack and casino. Dennison will oversee racing, mutuels, facility projects and sponsorships.
Dennison, 33, grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and learned racing from the ground up, learning from Hall of Fame conditioners D. Wayne Lukas and most recently, Steve Asmussen. He served as assist to the prolific trainer for 13 years, overseeing the Asmussen operations at Ellis Park in Kentucky as well as Louisiana Downs. He mulled the idea of going out on his own, but was more drawn to racetrack management.
“I have been active in both Kentucky and Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) for many years,” said Dennison. “Understanding the concerns of horsemen is very important and should be vital to racetrack management. Kevin is new to racing, but immediately recognized that. I have never been more excited about working in this industry!”
Dennison and his staff are preparing for the annual Thoroughbred racing season, which begins on Saturday, May 7. In addition to live and simulcast racing, Louisiana Downs has on onsite casino as well as a Sports Wagering hub. The Club 74 rewards program will offer racing and casino players an array of perks and incentives and family-friendly promotions, including the popular Exotic Animal races, featuring Camels, Ostriches and Zebras on May 30.
“Mitch is extremely knowledgeable and shares my commitment to showing respect to each of the horsemen and their workers as well as ensuring the safety and integrity of our racing operation,” said Preston. “I like his energy and look forward to a very successful racing season.”
The 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs will commence on Saturday, May 7. The 84-day live racing season will run Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday through September 27. Post time will be 3:05 pm (Central). 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.
OBITUARY William Joseph Deckwa Jr.
William Joseph Deckwa Jr.
OCTOBER 11, 1938 – APRIL 19, 2022
IN THE CARE OF
Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home
William Joseph Deckwa Jr., a leader in the home renovation industry, passed from this earth on
Tuesday, April 19th at East Jefferson Hospital. He was surrounded by his loving family, who are
forever grateful to the compassionate caretakers, nurses, and doctors who attended to him
during the last hours of his life. He was 83 years old.
Better known to all as Bill, Mr. Deckwa was born on October 11, 1938, to Althea Fos
Deckwa and William Deckwa Sr. He grew up in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans along with his
beloved sister, Stella Deckwa Jenevein. Mr. Deckwa graduated from Holy Cross High School in
1958 where he was a star player on the basketball team.
Highly accomplished throughout his life, Mr. Deckwa began his career as a teller for the Whitney
National Bank before taking a job with NASA in 1969. He was proud of having helped send a
man to the moon! Afterwards, Mr. Deckwa was employed as a finance manager with Alside
Siding Supply. In 1984, Mr. Deckwa and his wife, Doris, opened their own company, Wholesale
Siding and Window Supply. With a dedication to hard work and customer support, the Deckwas
built the company, which is still flourishing in its 38th year, into a great success.
In addition to being a successful businessman, Mr. Deckwa was a man of many talents. He was
inducted into the Louisiana Poetry Society, wrote and published country music songs, was well
known as a horse owner at the New Orleans Fairgrounds, and played a mean game of pool.
However, his greatest talent was developing and nurturing relationships throughout his long and
blessed life.
Mr. Deckwa is survived by his beloved and loving wife of 52 years, Doris Junda Deckwa. While
residing in Metairie for the past five decades, the Deckwas raised six children: Rob Picou (Jodi),
Terry Deckwa Duvieilh (Warren), Rhonda Picou Sabadie (Guy), William Deckwa III (Elaine),
Donna Picou Crowley (Kevin), and Chris Deckwa (Kim). “Paw Paw” Bill was also blessed with
17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Bill Deckwa’s life will be held on Friday, April 29, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and
Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, with a Funeral Mass directly following, at Leitz-Eagan
Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. Interment will be in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens, Chalmette, LA. The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.
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