David Heitzmann

Officials at Harrahs Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, LA, have announced an across-the-board purse increase of $1,500 per race beginning Saturday, Aug. 8 and continuing through the end of the meet Wednesday, Sept. 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 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...