Louisiana Downs: Heitzmann fined for paddock altercation

BOSSIER CITY, La. – Trainer Eric Heitzmann has been fined $1,000 by track stewards for being the aggressor in an altercation in the Louisiana Downs paddock last Thursday afternoon. In addition to the fine, Heitzmann has been ordered to undergo anger management counseling.

According to witnesses, Heitzmann confronted fellow trainer Wes Hawley following the afternoon’s fifth race, from which Hawley had claimed second-place finish finisher Autobeacat from Heitzmann. Heitzmann reportedly knocked Hawley to the ground and was on top of him before being subdued by members of the Louisiana Downs gate crew.

A spokesman for the Bossier City Police Department confirmed that Heitzmann had been issued a citation for his part in the incident.