Louisiana Downs starts meeting with big fields

The Louisiana Downs meet that opens Saturday in Bossier City, La., has been a long time coming. The season had to be delayed more than a month due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the mix of new and familiar faces signed on for the 64-date stand are ready to get to the business at hand.

The stable area is filled. The first card of the meet averages more than 10 horses per race. And the entries represent a competitive and diverse roster of owners, trainers, and jockeys.

“All I can say now is, ‘Let’s go racing,’ ” said David Heitzmann, who serves as both the director of racing and racing secretary for Louisiana Downs.

The meet will run through Sept. 23. There is racing every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with a uniform first post of 3:05 p.m. Central.

Louisiana Downs will be able to open its meet with spectators after Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an order Thursday night moving the state into Phase 2 of its reopening, according to a press release from the track. The casino at Louisiana Downs reopened May 18.

Patrons must enter the track at specific points and will have temperature checks. Face mask are recommended, but not required, according to the press release.

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The track opens with several new safety and social-distancing protocols in place for both its employees and racing participants.

Louisiana Downs will begin its season with seven-race cards and purses averaging nearly $90,000 per program. The track’s stakes schedule is on hiatus this year, including the Super Derby.

“We’re using all that money for overnight purses, thinking of our horsemen that are here for the meet,” Heitzmann said.

Heitzmann said there is a chance the track could run the annual Louisiana Cup program of stakes for horses bred in Louisiana.

“We’re working closely with the HBPA and Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association about possibly bringing it back,” he said.

Heitzmann said there also could be other changes to the racing program during the course of the season.

“We just want to get the party started and look at things as we move along,” he said.

Those things include the possibility of moving to eight races per day.

Joey Foster is back to defend his training title against such competition as Steve Asmussen, Karl Broberg, Beverly Burress, Joe Duhon, and H.B. Johnson. New trainers on hand include Brett Brinkman, Sarah Delany, Scott Gelner, Eric Heitzmann, Justin Jeansonne, and Shane Wilson.

Jockeys on hand include Carlos Lozada, who is back to defend his title in a colony that includes Joel Dominguez, Jack Gilligan, Aubrie Green, Eddie Martin Jr., Gerardo Mora, and Emanuel Nieves.

Louisiana Downs has added a pick six jackpot wager to its wagering menu. The 10-cent minimum bet will begin on the second race.

The card Saturday features two allowances, including a first-level offering for fillies and mares at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf. It goes as the sixth race, with Gilligan set to ride Heffington for Broberg and Dominguez named on Elevententeetime for Asmussen.