Super Derby moved to Sept. 7 on 2019 schedule

Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., has adjusted the date of the Super Derby and renamed a stakes race in honor of horseman Frankie Brothers in changes to the track’s 14-race stakes schedule announced Monday. The meet opens May 4 for an 84-date season that runs through Sept. 25.

The Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby will be run on Sept. 7. The date is approximately a week later than last year, when it was held on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. This year, the Super Derby will move back to a Saturday. The later date is intended to better serve patrons at Louisiana Downs.

“We want racing fans to see our Super Derby live and enjoy the many special events planned for our signature event at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs,” Eric Halstrom, vice president of racing operations for Louisiana Downs, said in a press release. “We found that many patrons had out-of-town plans or holiday gatherings with family members on Labor Day weekend, so we shifted our date to the next weekend.”

The Super Derby, which will again be run over 1 1/16 miles on the main track, anchors a card of seven stakes worth a total of $660,000. The program includes the $60,000 Frank L. Brothers. The 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up was previously called the Unbridled.

Brothers won nine training title at Louisiana Downs and rose to national prominence for conditioning such horses as champion Hansel, Pulpit, Arch and First Samurai. He is retired from training, but is active in racing as a bloodstock advisor. His wife, Donna Barton Brothers, is a retired jockey and racing analyst for NBC.

“Frankie is a very skilled horseman and was highly respected by our fans, and horseplayers across the country,” David Heitzmann, director of racing for Louisiana Downs, said in a release.

The Super Derby card will also include a pair of one-mile turf races for 2-year-olds, each worth $60,000, and a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares, the $60,000 River Cities.

The $1 million stakes program at Louisiana Downs also includes the Louisiana Cup Day card on Aug. 3. There are six divisional races for Louisiana-breds scheduled – each worth $50,000 – plus the local prep for the Super Derby, the $60,000 Prelude. The Prelude is for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

Louisiana Downs will race Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Post for the weekday cards remains 3:15 p.m. Central, while Louisiana Downs has moved up post for Saturdays to 12:55 p.m. Central.