Louisiana Downs

Morris G. Nicks, who trained for parts of six decades, primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana and Kentucky, died Nov. 25 at his home in Waskom, Texas. He had been fighting cancer and was 74 years old. His passing was confirmed by his wife Ellen in a Daily Racing Form story that broke the news Sunday. His son, the trainer Ralph Nicks, told DRF that his father had requested no funeral services to be held. According to DRF, Nicks grew up on a farm in Texas and galloped horses and rode in...

Louisiana Downs wrapped up its 84-day meet, which ran from May 1 to Sept. 21, Tuesday evening. Journeyman Carlos Lozada won 84 races from 391 rides (21%) to take the leading jockey title. His mounts earned $1,053,720. The 36-year-old Puerto Rican native was winning his second title, having also won in 2019. "I thank my family, my agent Ronald Ardoin, and each of the owners and trainers who supported me this season," said Lozada. "Louisiana Downs has been a very good track for me." Shane Wilson, in just his second...

5th-Louisiana Downs, $22,000, (S), Msw, 8-30, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:06.90, ft, 9 1/2 lengths. DROP DEAD SEXY (f, 2, Unified--Half a Notion, by Half Ours) became the sixth winner for her freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg}) with a dominant debut display. Bet into 49-10 from a morning line of 6-1, the $15,000 KEESEP yearling was driven through by Alexander Castillo to take up the running after a furlong and led narrowly into the turn with three pursuing her from the outside. She began to assert five-sixteenths of a...

Louisiana Downs will host Louisiana Cup Day Saturday, Aug. 21, with a post time of 2:45 p.m. CT. The annual event will feature six stakes contests, each worth $50,000 and all for Louisiana-breds: the six-furlong Juvenile for 2-year-olds; the six-furlong Juvenile Fillies for 2-year-old fillies; the six-furlong Filly & Mare Sprint for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up; the six-furlong Sprint for 3-year-olds and up; the Turf Classic at 1 1/16 miles on the grass for 3-year-olds and up; and the 1 1/16 mile Distaff for fillies and mares 3-year-olds...

Officials at Harrahs Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana, have released updated protocols as it regards its jockey leaving and returning to the track. The track has announced that any rider accepting a mount at another track will be asked to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days and will be required to submit a negative test for COVID-19 before being allowed to return. Inbound jockeys who have ridden at other facilities will be asked to do the same. The policy will be in effect until further notice. "After careful...

With Louisiana moving into Phase 2, Louisiana Downs will allow spectators as live racing kicks off Saturday. Patrons will be required to enter via a specially marked designated entrance and temperature checks will be conducted. Face masks are not required, but recommended. Only trainers, grooms and jockeys will be permitted in the saddling paddock and no more than six individuals will be allowed in the winner's circle following their race, based on social distancing recommendations. "We have been in daily communication with the Governor's office and were hopeful that we...

The 2020 Thoroughbred racing season at Harrah's Louisiana Downs, which was originally scheduled to begin Saturday, May 2, will commence Saturday, June 6. An emergency meeting of the Louisiana State Racing Commission took place May 5 and unanimous approval for the revised opening date was granted. Due to state mandates regarding COVID-19, Harrah's Louisiana Downs concluded its 2020 Quarter Horse meet Monday, Mar. 16, two days ahead of the scheduled final date. Thoroughbreds have been training there since Monday, Apr. 13 when a judge ruling allowed horsemen to be permitted...

Louisiana Downs will push back the opening of its spring/summer meet by one month, drop 20 dates from its schedule, and cancel the running of the GIII Super Derby because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) voted 11-0 at an emergency meeting Tuesday to approve the track's request. The decision was the only agenda item scheduled and none of the scores of participants on the conference call spoke in opposition to the changes. Louisiana Downs had been slated to start racing May 2. The 20 dates...