Bossier City, LA (April 16, 2024) – Louisiana Downs, a cornerstone of horse racing in the region since its establishment in 1974, is gearing up to kick off its milestone 50th-anniversary live racing season on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The opening coincides with the thrill of the Kentucky Derby, with the first post scheduled for 1:45 p.m.
To heighten the excitement, fans have the chance to win a mystery wager of up to $500 by locating Louisiana Downs’ Horse Racing Ambassador, Roxy. Starting April 29, daily clues will be shared on social media to help fans track down Roxy in the community and claim a wallet containing the mystery wager. Additionally, the first 100 Club 74 members to swipe their player’s card on Opening Day will each receive a wallet and mystery voucher.
As part of the milestone celebration, all Club 74 members will receive a $5 Free Bet on Opening Day. Members can redeem their bet by swiping their loyalty cards at the racing promotional kiosks between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Official Kentucky Derby merchandise will be available for purchase alongside the track’s signature swag. Families are encouraged to partake in the festivities with a day of fun for all ages, including the free Kids Zone on the trackside apron featuring bounce houses and local food trucks showcasing some of Shreveport-Bossier’s favorite restaurants.
Louisiana Downs President Kevin Preston expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming racing season and the track’s 50th anniversary. “We are thrilled to welcome racing fans and horsemen back to Louisiana Downs for the opening of our Thoroughbred race season, coinciding once again with the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby,” said Preston. “Since taking over the track in November 2021, we have made significant changes and enhancements, including the addition of over 200 new slot machines, new restaurant concepts, the introduction of our sportsbook, and various upgrades to the race track. We brought back the Super Derby in 2023, which was a personal goal of our team, and we cannot wait to share our golden anniversary with all our fans.”
The Louisiana Downs season will continue through September 26, with racing primarily conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and select Saturdays. A highlight of this year’s meet is the $250,000 Super Derby on September 14, which has received a $50,000 increase compared to 2023.
Seating on levels 1 and 2 of the Grandstand is free for guests, while box reservations can be made through the Louisiana Downs’ website (ladowns.com), and dining reservations in the Clubhouse buffet or Skyroom buffet can be arranged by emailing [email protected].
