Super Derby at Louisiana Downs gets purse boost

The purse for the Super Derby on Sept. 14 at Louisiana Downs has been boosted to $250,000, according to a stakes schedule provided by a track official. Last year, the race was worth $200,000 when held for the first time following a three-year hiatus. It was run Sept. 2.

The Super Derby will again be at 1 1/8 miles.

Louisiana Downs opens May 4 and races through Sept. 26. The calendar calls for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday racing most weeks. There are also live cards on select Saturdays, including Super Derby Day.

The Louisiana Cup Day program of six $75,000 stakes for Louisiana-breds also will be run on a Saturday card, on Aug. 31.

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Louisiana Downs will feature two new $50,000 stakes for Alabama-breds this meet: the Yellow Hammer on July 4 and the Alabama Crimson Tide on Aug. 21.

Trainer Jonas Gibson said he is pointing Foolish Steve to the Yellow Hammer. The stakes winner is one of 30 horses he plans to have in place for the meet at Louisiana Downs.

Gibson is winning races at a 30 percent clip this meet at Oaklawn.

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