Louisiana Downs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harrah's Louisiana Downs |
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Louisiana Downs off Interstate 20 in Bossier City
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| Location | Bossier City, Louisiana |
| Address | 8000 E. Texas St. Bossier City, Louisiana 71111 |
| Opening date | 1974 |
| Total gaming space | 150,000 square feet (14,000 m2) |
| Notable restaurants | Harrah's Club Pepper Rose Too |
| Casino type | Racino |
| Owner | Vici Properties |
| Operating license holder | Caesars Entertainment |
Harrah's Louisiana Downs is a horse racing track and racino located in Bossier City in northwestern Louisiana. It opened in 1974. The casino features 1,300 slot machines. The track specification is a dirt track of 1 mi (1.609 km) & turf course of 0.875 mi (1.408 km).
History
Louisiana Downs was built by shopping center developer Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., of Cleveland, Ohio, a longtime supporter of horse racing; it was third race track that he developed, along with Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio, and Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In its first year of operation, more than 300,000 wagered in excess of $23 million. In 1983, 1.3 million fans wagered $224 million in the 125-day racing season.
Harrah's Entertainment (later Caesars Entertainment) purchased the track in 2002. In October 2017, ownership of the property was transferred to Vici Properties as part of a corporate spin-off, and it was leased back to Caesars.
In September 2020, it was announced that Caesars Entertainment and VICI Properties are selling Harrah’s Louisiana Downs to Rubico Acquisition Corp. for $22 million with the deal expected to close at the end of the year or early in 2021.
Racing
The Thoroughbred meet takes place from early May through late September or early October. A quarter horse meet is held from January through March.
The track's only graded event is the Grade III Super Derby, a race run each September since 1980 now at the current distance of 1+1⁄16 miles (1,700 m). It also hosts the Tiznow Handicap.
