Lucky Island camp fears no one in Forego Aug 29, 2008
Greeley's Conquest won the Prairie Meadows Sprint in his last start and also won a minor stakes at Louisiana Downs before that. Bold Start, second to Eternal Star in the aforementioned overnight stakes, completes the field. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Asmussen hit hard by exercise rider's death Aug 28, 2008
J Be K will run back in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont on Sept. 27, while Pyro could run next in either the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 20 or the Indiana Derby on Oct. 4. The uncertainty of what will happen in those races is part of the business. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Dearest Trickski captures Rancho Bernardo Aug 25, 2008
Try the NEW ESPN Search. By Steve AndersenDaily Racing Form (). (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Harrah's Entertainment Reports 2008 Second-Quarter Global Results Aug 9, 2008
9)% Louisiana/Mississippi Region properties include Harrah's New Orleans, Horseshoe Bossier City, Louisiana Downs, Horseshoe Tunica, Harrah's Tunica, Sheraton Tunica and Grand Casino Biloxi. Iowa/Missouri Region. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
The Jackie Collins VIP Book Signing Giveaway Jul 15, 2008
These lucky winners will meet Jackie Collins before the general public does on her book signing tour stop at Harrah's Louisiana Downs ... A buffet for 2 at Louisiana Downs. (KSLA.com, LA)
Swaps: Colonel John opens Act 2 Jul 13, 2008
"Colonel John is likely to leave California in August and September and race on dirt, with a start in the Super Derby on dirt at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 20 perhaps to follow the Travers.The Travers would be Colonel John's second career start on dirt. In Colonel John's 7 starts, his 4 wins have been on California's synthetic tracks. The Kentucky Derby was his first start on dirt."Prior to the Derby, he seemed to train well on a conventional racetrack" at Churchill Downs, Harty said. "If he runs... (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Stall brings Lattice for Stars and Stripes Jul 2, 2008
Beginning the next year, his summer stable was split between Churchill Downs and Louisiana Downs, with Arlington out of the mix. Stall started just six horses here from 2004 to 2006, and did not have an Arlington runner last year. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
3 injured when church bus hit. Jul 2, 2008
He was alert and talking with Louisiana state police troopers and Bossier sheriff's deputies at the wreck site several miles east of Louisiana Downs. He was reported to have suffered some injuries, however. (Nola.com -- Sports)
A Sure Bet: Big Brown's trainer won't testify Jun 19, 2008
The one-mile Tiznow Stakes at Louisiana Downs is a qualifier for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The Breeders' Cup will be run Oct. 24-25 at Santa Anita in Arcadia. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Big Brown's trainer talks big Jun 2, 2008
Fast Buck Duck: "Called this one at Louisiana Downs . . . very carefully.". Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk: "Sounded like a Stooge calling this one.". (Los Angeles Times)
Embattled jockey Valenzuela to ride in Louisiana May 23, 2008
Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who has not ridden since December after he had his conditional jockey's license in California revoked following an arrest for driving under the influence, has relocated to Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La ... Valenzuela said on Wednesday that he has been working horses at Louisiana Downs since mid-May. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Preakness looks like easy money, namewise May 16, 2008
Called this one at Louisiana Downs. very carefully. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Horsemen urge unity in Churchill dispute May 15, 2008
Horsemen at Churchill, along with those at Calder, Presque Isle Downs, Lone Star, and Louisiana Downs, have assigned their account-wagering rights to the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, which is negotiating with the tracks on their behalf. Rick Hiles, president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said, "There is no justification for a 20 percent cut," citing the track's purse account as being down less than 1 percent from its numbers of last year, when wagering was... (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
THAT SPECIAL RIDE May 15, 2008
This is what Theriot had in mind in the spring of 2007 when he took his tack to Kentucky after the Fair Grounds meet instead of remaining in the South to ride at Lone Star Park and Louisiana Downs. To have a chance to ride in the most important races, he knew he needed to be around better horses. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Fair Grounds eyes earlier opening day Apr 16, 2008
"The insanity behind that was, I was trying to keep Louisiana Downs (which was running a fall meet at the time) from getting Fair Grounds horses," Roussel said in 2006. CONTINUED 1. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Fair Grounds Moves up Start Date For 2008-09 Apr 16, 2008
In an abbreviated 2005-06 season at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Fair Grounds opened the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. The last time an opening day in New Orleans was held prior to Thanksgiving was a five-year stretch from 1975-79. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Fair Grounds ends season on high note Mar 24, 2008
Because the 2005-2006 Fair Grounds season, which was run at Louisiana Downs, ended in January 2006, New Orleans OTB and video-poker revenue that normally would have supplemented Fair Grounds purses in February and March 2006 instead was saved for the 2006-2007 season. This season's purse account didn't start with such a surplus. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Fair Grounds jockey Patin in trouble again Mar 5, 2008
In October 1999, he refused to submit to hair analysis at Louisiana Downs, an action deemed the same as testing positive for drugs. It was his sixth violation of Louisiana racing's substance-abuse rules. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Downs says it's LSU Feb 25, 2008
Wrapping up a productive LSU Junior Day, the defending National Champion LSU Tigers picked up a commitment from Bastrop defensive tackle Josh Downs. A 6-foot-2, 275-pound product from the perennial powerhouse program out of North Louisiana, Downs is one of several highly sought after prospects from the 2008 Rams team. (LSU Sports -- Rivals.com)
Fair Grounds trying to get Curlin to race here Jan 29, 2008
Last year, Louisiana Downs offered to raise the Super Derby purse if any of the winners of Triple Crown races would show up. None did. (Nola.com -- Sports)
DRF: Going Ballistic might head West Dec 20, 2007
Paul Shurman, who qualified for the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship through a pick four contest at Louisiana Downs, also qualified through a tournament at his home track of Aqueduct last month and will play for the New York track in the finale, according to officials with Louisiana Downs ... onto the team for Louisiana Downs ... Louisiana Downs has added 48 video poker machines to its offtrack wagering facility in Mound, La. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Bill Hartack Dies At 74 Dec 15, 2007
In Hartack's post-riding years, he served as a steward at Louisiana Downs. He was Woodbine track's special guest earlier this season for the Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup Turf. (Suite101.com)
State gambling regulators OK Harrah's buyout Dec 12, 2007
The company owns casinos in New Orleans and Bossier City and the Harrah's Louisiana Downs racetrack in Bossier City. (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Grasshopper targets Mineshaft Dec 1, 2007
Grasshopper hasn't raced since he was upset by Going Ballistic in the Sept. 22 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, but he has moved into trainer Neil Howard's Fair Grounds barn, and is galloping steadily along ... Grasshopper came back slightly less than a month later in the Super Derby, and may not have been at his best at Louisiana Downs. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Norman arrested, charged with DUI Nov 30, 2007
Norman, who lives near Haughton, has won nine training titles at Louisiana Downs and six at Oaklawn Park. He last started a horse on Feb. 11, 2007. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Five-Time Derby-Winning Jockey Dead At 74 Nov 28, 2007
He remained in racing as a steward, working the past few years in that role at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. "I rode with him a little bit at the end of his career," said jockey Angel Cordero, himself a legend and a member of the Hall of Fame. (CBS News)
Bill Hartack, at 74; won Kentucky Derby five times Nov 28, 2007
He had recently worked as a steward at Harrah's Louisiana Downs racetrack in Bossier City, La. "When I first came to this country and met him, it was like meeting a superstar - he was a jockey everyone had heard about," said Angel Cordero, another Hall of Fame jockey. (Boston Globe)
Bill Hartack found dead at age 74 Nov 28, 2007
He has remained active in racing as a steward, and recently finished working the race meet at Louisiana Downs. Hartack and Eddie Arcaro are the only two riders to have won the Kentucky Derby five times. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
5-time Derby winner Hartack dies Nov 28, 2007
He remained in racing as a steward, working the past few years in that role at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. When he wasnt working, Hartack spent time at a hunting camp on property owned by thoroughbred owner Greg Goodman, a friend and client of Stidhams. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Five-time Derby winning jockey Bill Hartack dies at age 74 Nov 28, 2007
He remained in racing as a steward, working the past few years in that role at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. Hall of Fame rider Angel Cordero didn't know Hartack well, but was aware of his accomplishments. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Hard-riding jockey Hartack dies at 74 Nov 28, 2007
He was a Louisiana Downs steward last season. Hartack won his first race in 1952 at West Virginia's Waterford Park, and he was elected to thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame in 1959, at the age of 27. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Jockey won Kentucky Derby five times Nov 28, 2007
He had recently worked as a steward at Harrah's Louisiana Downs racetrack in Bossier City, La. William J. Hartack was born in Pennsylvania in 1932, the son of a coal miner. (Los Angeles Times)
OFF AND RUNNING Nov 23, 2007
An abbreviated 2005-2006 season was held at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. Thursday's attendance, 7,278, was down 16. (Nola.com -- Sports)
DRF: Von Hemel out to renew family legacy in Clark Nov 21, 2007
After rolling past Grasshopper to win the Sept. 22 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, Going Ballistic posted a last-to-first triumph in the Oct. 21 Oklahoma Derby, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 101. ALSO ON THIS STORY. (MSNBC -- Sports)
New Orleans is hopping again Nov 21, 2007
But a couple miles south of the weedy wastes, huge crowds of horses are clambering to get into the New Orleans Fair Grounds - more than 3,400 applications were submitted for the track's 1,800 available stalls - and following a successful 2006-07 return to New Orleans after a year's exile at Louisiana Downs, the Fair Grounds meet starts Thursday with high expectations. "Right now, I'm looking for someone to show up short, so I can help some of these people out" with stalls, racing secretary Sam... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Fair Grounds' focus now on the future Nov 21, 2007
The Fair Grounds ran a shortened 2005-06 season at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. A year ago, Soth was overseeing the finishing touches of an expensive repair job that had the Fair Grounds ready for racing's return to New Orleans. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Fair Grounds opening with hope that slots will boost purses Nov 21, 2007
Tom Early, secretary-treasurer of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, said slot-fueled purses at Delta Downs at Vinton, Evangeline Downs at Opelousas and Louisiana Downs at Bossier City have pushed up sale prices in recent years for state-bred yearlings ... Early said Delta Downs is offering an average of about $200,000 in purses, Evangeline has about $150,000 to offer and Louisiana Downs runs between $175,000 to $200,000. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Two of Canada's best meet again Nov 17, 2007
He bypassed the Canadian Triple Crown, and made four of his five starts this year against older opponents, the exception being a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Trainer Kevin Attard was content with Leonnatus Anteas's last-out score in the Durham Cup. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Kip Deville passes test to make Mile Oct 24, 2007
Those other callers are Larry Lederman (Freehold harness), Dan Loiselle (Woodbine), Sam McKee (Meadowlands), Ken Warkentin (Meadowlands), Travis Stone (Louisiana Downs), T.D. Thornton (Suffolk), Keith Jones (Philadelphia Park), Terry Spargo (Dubai), and Mark Johnson (England). Collmus will call all of the Friday and Saturday races that are not Breeders' Cup events. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Carnegie Cooke to offer Pari-Mutuel Simulcast of the Breeders' Cup World Championship in Brazil Oct 11, 2007
Carnegie Cooke's broadcast of the Breeders Cup Championship is a welcome addition to our regular race card of over thirty tracks, which include the popular tracks of Keeneland, Monmouth Park, The Meadowlands, Philadelphia Park, Louisiana Downs, Penn National and Australia Racing. Please visit for additional information on the Breeders Cup World Championship. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Man inhales 21 lbs. of grits to win world title Sep 30, 2007
Pat Bertoletti, a mohawk-sporting chef from Chicago, gulped down 21 pounds of buttery, goopy grits in 10 minutes to win $4,000 in the first World Grits Eating Championship at Louisiana Downs on Saturday. The grits were presented in 2-pound trays, each about 8 inches by 6 inches and 11/2 inches deep, said Ryan Nerz, a spokesman for Major League Eating. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Bertoletti captures 'world grits' title Sep 30, 2007
(AP) Yankees beat out Southerners for the top spots in what was billed as the first World Grits Eating Championship at Louisiana Downs on Saturday ... Pat Bertoletti, center, wolfs down some grits during the World Grits Eating Championship at Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. (USA Today -- News)
Now Victory pulls away for win at Bay Meadows Sep 23, 2007
80) rallied from last place and outfinished 3-to-10 favorite Grasshopper by a length in the Grade 2, $515,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Any Given Saturday ($2. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Going Ballistic runs down Grasshopper Sep 23, 2007
-- Going Ballistic ran down the 1-5 favorite, Grasshopper, in the stretch for a one-length win in the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Saturday ... The Super Derby anchored what was the richest card in the history of Louisiana Downs ... Louisiana Downs, 10th Race - September 22, 2007. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Wiebe big in Champions debut Sep 23, 2007
Haskell Invitational winner Any Given Saturday tops a field of five in today's Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park, while Travers Stakes runner-up Grasshopper is the favorite in a 10-horse field for the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Bai and Bai, ridden by Aaron Gryder, won the $100,000 Las Madrinas Handicap at Fairplex Park in Pomona. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Celtics resume talks with Batista Sep 23, 2007
Going Ballistic rallied to beat even-money favorite Grasshopper by a length in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs in Bossier, La. Going Ballistic ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Haskell winner Any Given Saturday tops Brooklyn field in Breeders' Cup tuneup Sep 22, 2007
Haskell Invitational winner Any Given Saturday tops a field of five in Saturday's Brooklyn Handicap, while Travers Stakes runner-up Grasshopper is the favorite in a 10-horse field for the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. The trainers of both 3-year-olds are pointing their colts toward the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 27. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Grasshopper draws post 9 for Super Derby Sep 21, 2007
-- Super Derby favorite Grasshopper arrived here safely from Kentucky on Wednesday morning and shortly thereafter drew post 9 in a field of 10 for Saturday's Grade 2, $500,000 race at Louisiana Downs ... The winner of the $100,000 Prelude at Louisiana Downs in his last start, Forty Acres drew post 2 for the Super Derby ... On the corresponding card last year, Louisiana Downs handled $7,306,487 on a 13-race program from all sources, which was a record for the track. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Grasshopper even-money favorite in Super Derby Sep 21, 2007
(AP) -Grasshopper, second-place finisher in the Travers to Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, was made the even-money favorite for Saturday's $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Nine other 3-year-olds were entered for the Grade 2 race, at 1 1/8 miles. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Grasshopper jumps quickly into top ranks Sep 20, 2007
Louisiana Downs set out to lure a superstar to the Super Derby by offering to double the purse to $1 million this year if a Triple Crown race winner was part of the field ... "We're very excited about Grasshopper," said Mark Midland, vice president of racing operations at Louisiana Downs. (MSNBC -- Sports)
This week at Bay Meadows Sep 19, 2007
Feature simulcast race: Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Notes: Entries will be taken today for Saturday's Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Handicap - a 11/8-mile grass race that is the richest event of the summer-fall season. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Grasshopper fires bullet for Super Derby Sep 19, 2007
He is scheduled to fly into Louisiana Downs on Wednesday, and will be ridden in Saturday's Grade 2, $500,000 race by Robby Albarado ... Doug Bredar, racing secretary at Louisiana Downs, said on Monday morning that he is hoping for a field of 10 when entries for the 1 1/8-mile race are taken Wednesday ... Past the Point will fly to Louisiana Downs on same Wednesday flight, which originates in New York, where he is based. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Eight entered for $400K Presque Isle Masters Sep 14, 2007
Seven horse were entered for the Presque Isle Mile, headed by the Steve Asmussen-trained Super Frolic, who in his last two starts has finished second in the $200,000 Evangeline Mile and the $115,000 Tiznow at Louisiana Downs. A field of 10 was drawn for the 5 1/2-furlong Karl Boyes Memorial, which will pit the three-race win streak of Indian Chant, trained by Tom Amoss, against the four-race win streak of Bernie Blue, trained by Miguel Feliciano. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
U.S. shippers bound for Woodbine Mile Sep 13, 2007
Leonnatus Anteas is under serious consideration for the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 22. Sky Conqueror camp undecided about MileSky Conqueror, trained by Darwin Banach, remained on the fence for the Woodbine Mile as of Tuesday morning. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Next race uncertain for Rags to Riches Aug 31, 2007
Grasshopper likely headed to Super Derby The Travers runner-up Grasshopper will be pointed to the $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 22, trainer Neil Howard said Wednesday. "We felt staying within the division was attractive," Howard said, referring to the fact that the Super Derby is restricted to 3-year-olds. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Travers winner Street Sense doing great, next start is anybody's guess Aug 27, 2007
The choices are the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs and the MassCap at Suffolk Downs, both Sept. 22; the Hawthorne Gold Cup at Hawthorne Park in Illinois and the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park, both Sept. 29; and the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Sept. 30. Meanwhile, Street Sense was doing great after a one-mile morning jog around the track about 12 hours after he was a little stressed in the winner's circle because of temperatures in the 90s. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Saratoga Barn Banter For August 26, 2007 Aug 27, 2007
Races under consideration are: Louisiana Downs $500,000 Super Derby at nine furlongs September 22nd; Suffolk Downs $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap at nine furlongs on September 22nd; the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup at 10 furlongs on September 29th and Belmont Parks Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at 10 furlongs on September 30th. The Super Derby is the only aforementioned race that is restricted to three-year-olds. (FOX23 News, NY)
Local Teams Today Aug 24, 2007
1989 -- Jockey Larry Snyder wins his 6,000th career race, aboard a filly named Speedski, in the first race at Louisiana Downs. Snyder becomes the sixth rider in history to reach 6,000 wins. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Casino revenue figures for Louisiana Aug 22, 2007
Louisiana Downs track casino, $7. 9 million, 173,514, $45. (KSLA.com, LA)
DRF: Female jockey Burch dies in car crash Aug 17, 2007
Burch, 28, had been competing at the Louisiana Downs ... Burch had been scheduled to ride in the fourth race at Louisiana Downs on Thursday. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Super Derby dangles $1M for Crown race winners Jul 27, 2007
The purse for the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby will double to $1 million if Street Sense, Curlin, or Rags to Riches run in the Sept. 22 race, Louisiana Downs officials announced on Thursday ... "We are actively pursing all three horses," said Doug Bredar, racing secretary at Louisiana Downs ... "I think the biggest thing we have going for us is the timing of the race," Mark Midland, vice president of racing operations for Louisiana Downs, said of the five-week spacing between the Super Derby... (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Louisiana casinos rake in $2.55 billion Jul 18, 2007
2 million from track casinos at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs. Not included are the three Indian reservation casinos in Louisiana, which are not licensed and taxed by the state and are not required to report their winnings publicly. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Gamblers find new oases across Southeast Jul 6, 2007
Harrah's Louisiana Downs, slot machines and horse racing, Bossier City. 318-742-5555. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Video poker proceeds continue to rise in state Jul 5, 2007
Louisiana Downs at Bossier City, Delta Downs at Vinton and Evangeline Downs at Opelousas have slot casinos and the New Orleans Fair Grounds is expected to have a temporary casino in operation by fall. Ashy said video poker interests apparently have not been affected much by the track casinos. (DeRidder Beauregard Daily News, LA)
Churchill narrows 1Q loss May 9, 2007
Fair Grounds was closed for 15 months following Hurricane Katrina in late 2005, and conducted only 12 days of live racing at an alternative site, Harrah's Louisiana Downs, during the first quarter of 2006. Extra. (Louisville Business First, KY)
