John Franks part of inaugural class for Louisiana Downs Hall of Fame

John Franks was the backbone of breeding and racing in Louisiana for years, and next month Louisiana Downs will honor the late Eclipse Award winner as part of its new Racing Hall of Fame announced Friday.

The inaugural class, determined by committee, also will include Sunday Silence and Free Spirits Joy; trainers Frank L. Brothers and C.W. Walker; jockeys Ron Ardoin and Larry Snyder; and original track owner Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.

Louisiana Downs also is asking the public to vote online for additional individuals to be included in the inaugural class. The induction ceremony will be July 13 at the track. The voting period will run from June 15-June 29 and votes can be submitted at: http://shout.It/bQZNV.

Franks was a fixture at Louisiana Downs, the Bossier City, La., track located a short drive from the oilman’s offices in Shreveport, La. He was known around the track simply as Mr. Franks – a people’s owner who regularly invited patrons to join him in the winner’s circle when his horses had success at Louisiana Downs.

There were lots of winner’s circle pictures.

Franks won 18 owner titles at Louisiana Downs, which played a role in his leading the nation in owner wins six times and in earnings five times. He also was the leading breeder by wins nine times, and by earnings once. Franks won four Eclipse Awards as outstanding owner and a fifth for his homebred champion 2-year-old of 1998, Answer Lively.

Franks died in 2003 at age 78.

Franks had horses with a number of trainers, including Brothers, who won nine straight training titles at Louisiana Downs from 1980-1988. Brothers would go on to capture the 1991 Belmont Stakes with eventual champion Hansel.

Ardoin is a the all-time winningest jockey at Louisiana Downs and the late Snyder won more than 6,000 races in his career. Sunday Silence won the Super Derby in 1989 after victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, while Free Spirits Joy won the Super Derby in 1991.

The idea for the Racing Hall of Fame at Louisiana Downs came from Eric Halstrom, who last year was brought on as vice president of operations. In getting to know the track’s patrons and staff, he learned about the rich history of the home of the Super Derby. Louisiana Downs opened in 1974.

“We have a really great core of fans here and we thought they would really enjoy something like this,” said Halstrom.

A six-person committee was formed to come up with inductees. The panel comprises Halstrom and fellow Louisiana Downs employees David Heitzmann, Russ Ramstad, John McGary, Andrea Butler, and Shelli Briery.

Halstrom said the plan is for annual inductions into the Louisiana Downs Racing Hall of Fame. He said a large wall near the front foyer of the track will be used to recognize class members, with photos and other memorabilia to be on display later this meet.