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 fun place in Bossier City, Louisiana. It's a special kind of entertainment spot called a racino. This means it has both exciting horse racing and a casino with lots of slot machines. It first opened its doors in 1974.
At Harrah's Louisiana Downs, you can watch horses race on two different tracks. One is a dirt track that is about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) long. The other is a grass track, called a turf course, which is about 1.4 kilometers (0.875 miles) long. Inside the casino, there are around 1,300 slot machines for people to play.
Contents
The Story of Louisiana Downs
How It Started
Louisiana Downs was built by a man named Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.. He was a big supporter of horse racing and also built shopping centers. He was from Cleveland, Ohio. This was the third horse racing track he helped create. The others were Thistledown in Ohio and Remington Park in Oklahoma.
When Louisiana Downs first opened in 1974, it was very popular. More than 300,000 people came to watch the races and bet money. They wagered over $23 million in that first year! By 1983, the track was even more popular. About 1.3 million fans visited during the 125-day racing season, and they bet an amazing $224 million.
Changes in Ownership
In 2002, a company called Harrah's Entertainment bought the track. This company later became known as Caesars Entertainment.
Later, in 2017, the ownership of the property changed again. It was transferred to a company called Vici Properties. However, Caesars Entertainment still managed and operated the track.
In September 2020, it was announced that Harrah's Louisiana Downs would be sold to a new company called Rubico Acquisition Corp. for $22 million. This sale was expected to be completed by the end of 2020 or early 2021.
Horse Racing Events
Types of Races Held
Harrah's Louisiana Downs hosts different types of horse races throughout the year.
- Thoroughbred races: These races usually take place from early May until late September or early October. Thoroughbreds are a famous breed of horse known for their speed.
- Quarter horse races: A special meet for quarter horses is held from January through March. These horses are known for being very fast over short distances.
Famous Races at the Track
The most well-known race held at Louisiana Downs is the Super Derby. This race has been run every September since 1980. It is a Grade III event, which means it's a very important race in the horse racing world. The Super Derby is currently run at a distance of about 1.7 kilometers (1 and 1/16 miles).
The track also hosts another important race called the Tiznow Handicap.
