Louisiana Downs Announces Purse Increase

Harrah's Louisiana Downs is pleased to announce that overnight purses will be increased by $1,500 for the remainder of the 2020 Thoroughbred meet. The adjustment will go into effect on Saturday, August 8 and will continue through the conclusion of the racing season on Wednesday, September 23. "We thank our local horsemen for their support since the live racing season began on June 6," said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. "This has been a very challenging year due to COVID-19, so we are pleased to reward these hard working men and women with a purse increase of $1,500 across the board." Further good news is that Louisiana Cup Day will be held at Harrah's Louisiana Downs on Saturday, September 19. The annual day of racing, which traditionally takes place in August, showcases accredited Louisiana-bred Thoroughbreds. Due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the event was put on hold, but Roger Heitzmann, Executive Director of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA); Ed Fenasci, Executive Director of the HBPA and David Heitzmann, director of Racing at Harrah's Louisiana Downs, have worked diligently to put the annual stakes day back on the calendar. On June 16, the LTBA Board of Directors voted to earmark $100,000 for Louisiana Cup Day. "We are grateful to LTBA for allocating the funds so we can run Louisiana Cup Day once again this year," added Heitzmann. "This is a very important day for our breeders, horsemen, and of course, the fans at Harrah's Louisiana Downs." Louisiana Cup Day Featured Stakes $40,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile 2 YO LA-Bred Six furlongs $40,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies 2 YO Fillies LA-Bred Six furlongs $40,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint 3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred Six furlongs $40,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint 3 YO & Up LA-Bred Six furlongs $40,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic 3 YO & Up LA-Bred 1 1/16 miles (T) $40,000 Louisiana Distaff 3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred 1 1/16 miles (T)