Louisiana Downs

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).

Harrah's Louisiana Downs
Louisiana Downs off Interstate 20 in Bossier City
Location Bossier City, Louisiana
Address 8000 E. Texas St.
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111
Opening date1974
Total gaming space150,000 square feet (14,000 m2)
Notable restaurantsHarrah's Club
Pepper Rose Too
Casino typeRacino
OwnerVici Properties
Operating license holderCaesars Entertainment
Websitecaesars.com/harrahs-louisiana-downs
Spectator stands at Harrah's Louisiana Downs

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.[1]

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.[2][3]

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.[4]

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.

References
  1. "Louisiana Downs is nation's 5th largest track," Minden Press-Herald, February 28, 1984, p. 6C
  2. "Vici Properties Inc., completes spin-off from Caesars Entertainment Operating Company" (Press release). Vici Properties. October 6, 2017 – via NewsBank.
  3. Form 424B4: Prospectus (Report). Vici Properties. February 2, 2018. pp. F-54 – via EDGAR.
  4. {{cite website|title=Ceasars, VICI Properties selling Louisiana Downs to Rubico Acquistion Corp.|publisher=Shreveport Times|date=September 4, 2020|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/money/business/2020/09/04/harrahs-louisiana-downs-being-sold-rubico-acquisition-corp/5715175002/

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