Racing Commission public meetings in 2021

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission is holding an emergency public meeting to consider a request from Boyd Racing LLC, operator of Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino & Hotel, to return to night racing on Fridays and Saturdays for the 2021-2022 Thoroughbred Meet, addressing lighting issues.

• Boyd Racing LLC d/b/a Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino & Hotel requests approval to return to night racing on Fridays and Saturdays for the 2021-2022 Thoroughbred Meet.

The Commission postponed a vote on returning to night racing at Delta Downs for 30 days following safety concerns from the Jockeys’ Guild regarding lighting inconsistencies. The Commission instead approved daytime racing for Fridays and Saturdays for the next 30 days.

• Postponed vote on Delta Downs' return to nighttime racing for 30 days
• Approved Friday and Saturday daytime racing at Delta Downs for 30 days

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will meet to consider several track-specific requests and, most notably, to adopt emergency rules regulating wagering on historical horse racing, a new form of pari-mutuel betting authorized by Act 437 of the 2021 Regular Session. The commission will also vote on track date changes, lighting schedule adjustments, and approval of racing officials and a new assistant executive director.

• Emergency adoption of LAC 35:XVII Chapter 131 — Wagering on Historical Horse Racing (new rules)
• Boyd Racing/Delta Downs: Consideration of moving Friday and Saturday racing from night to day due to lighting issues
• Evangeline Downs: Request to add Dec 20, 2021 and remove Dec 14, 2021 from quarter horse meet
• Fair Grounds: Approval of officials for 2021-2022 thoroughbred meet
• Harrah's Louisiana Downs: Approval of Roy Wood, Jr. as state steward for 2022 quarter horse meet

The Commission adopted emergency rules for wagering on historical horse racing, excluding one subsection regarding annual fees. It also approved race schedules and officials for several tracks and appointed a new Assistant Executive Director.

• Approved extension for Delta Downs to move night races to daytime through December 11, 2021
• Approved Evangeline Downs request to add December 20, 2021 and remove December 14, 2021 from meet
• Approved officials and designated races for Fair Grounds 2021-2022 thoroughbred meet
• Approved Roy Wood, Jr. as state steward for Harrah’s Louisiana Downs 2022 quarter horse meet
• Adopted LAC $5:XVII Chapter 131 wagering rules by Emergency Declaration, excluding Subsection U of §13111
• Approved appointment of Gerald J. Calogero as Assistant Executive Director of LSRC
• Approved meeting minutes from October 18, 2021

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider several track requests, including Harrah's Louisiana Downs' application for a sports wagering license and approval of an equity purchase agreement. The commission will also vote on rule changes regarding protective helmets, medications in quarter horses, racing colors, and claiming rules, and will hear appeals and adjudications for trainer and jockey violations.

• Approval of Harrah's Louisiana Downs to apply for a sports wagering license
• Approval of Rubico Acquisition Corporation's Equity Purchase Agreement for Harrah's Bossier City
• Consideration of moving Delta Downs' Friday and Saturday thoroughbred racing from night to day due to lighting issues
• Formal adoption of rules adding Albuterol as a prohibited substance in quarter horses
• Adjudication of trainer Jorge L. Gonzales for a positive test for Pyrrolidinovalerophenone

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission is holding an emergency public meeting to consider amendments to Delta Downs' racing schedule due to lighting issues. The meeting will address cancelled races on October 15 and 16, 2021, and a proposed move of Friday and Saturday racing from night to day.

• Boyd Racing LLC d/b/a Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino & Hotel request for emergency amendments to 2021-2022 Thoroughbred Meet
• Cancelled racing on October 15 and 16, 2021 due to lighting issues
• Consideration of moving Friday and Saturday racing from night to day

The Commission approved a request to move Friday and Saturday racing from night to day for October 21 and 22, 2021. This action follows the cancellation of races on October 15 and 16 due to lighting and shadowing issues. The matter will be revisited at the October 26, 2021 meeting.

• Approved daytime racing at Delta Downs for October 21 & 22, 2021

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider approving licensees to apply for sports wagering licenses and a consulting contract for historical horse racing. The agenda also includes routine approvals for multiple racetracks' meet conditions, stewards, licenses, racing dates, and wagering rules. A formal rule amendment clarifies Pick N wager procedures when racing surface changes.

• Consideration to approve licensees to apply for sports wagering licenses under La. R.S. 27:604(c)
• Approval of a Consulting Services Contract with Gaming Laboratories International, LLC for HHR implementation
• Formal adoption of rule amendment LAC 35:XIII.11609 on Pick N wager procedure for surface changes
• Approval of 10-year licenses to own and operate racetracks and OTB locations for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Harrah's Louisiana Downs
• Approval of designated races and condition books for 2021-2022 thoroughbred meets at Delta Downs and Fair Grounds

The Commission approved several race meets, stewards, and wagering plans for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. It authorized three tracks to apply for sports wagering licenses and approved a $74,400 consulting contract for Historical Horse Racing regulations. The Commission also ordered Boyd Gaming to resolve issues at Evangeline Downs by September 30, 2021, or face daily fines.

• Approved Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Fair Grounds to apply for sports wagering licenses
• Approved $74,400 consulting contract with Gaming Laboratories International, LLC for HHR regulations
• Ordered Boyd Gaming to resolve Evangeline Downs issues by Sept 30, 2021, or face $1,000 daily fine
• Approved 2021-2022 thoroughbred and 2022 quarter horse meet details for Delta Downs
• Approved 2021 quarter horse and 2022 thoroughbred meet details for Evangeline Downs
• Approved Roy Wood as state steward for Fair Grounds 2021-2022 thoroughbred meet
• Approved wagering, licenses, and dates for Louisiana Downs 2021 thoroughbred and 2022 meets
• Formally adopted amendment to LAC 35: XIII Chapter 116 regarding Pick N procedure

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will hold a public meeting on July 1, 2021. The agenda includes the consideration of Off-Track Betting (OTB) matters.

• Consideration of OTBs

The Louisiana State Racing Commission approved two applications from Delta Downs to operate off-track betting (OTB) facilities. The approved locations are in West Baton Rouge Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish.

• Approved two OTB license applications for Delta Downs in West Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parishes (carried; Commissioner Bouie abstained)

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will meet online June 29, 2021 to consider off-track betting (OTB) approvals for Fair Grounds Race Course and Boyd Gaming. The agenda includes two items: approval of OTB applications for Fair Grounds and consideration of OTBs for Boyd Gaming. No other substantive items are listed.

• Approval to open Fair Grounds OTBs per submitted applications
• Consideration of OTBs for Boyd Gaming Corporation

The Louisiana State Racing Commission approved applications for several new off-track betting (OTB) locations. Licenses were granted for four locations for Fair Grounds and six locations for Evangeline Downs.

• Approved four new OTB applications for Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
• Approved six new OTB applications for Evangeline Downs

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will meet to consider Churchill Downs' request to amend the 2021-2022 thoroughbred meet from 48 to 80 racing dates at Fair Grounds Race Course. The agenda also includes progress reports from four racetracks on off-track betting facilities, rule changes on protective helmets, medication in quarter horses, racing colors, and claiming procedures, and adjudications of equine drug positives and license reinstatements.

• Churchill Downs request to add 32 thoroughbred race dates at Fair Grounds (Dec 2, 2021 – Mar 27, 2022)
• Rule amendments: protective helmets and safety vests, permitted medications in quarter horses, racing colors, claiming rules
• Adjudication of equine drug positives for trainers including Shelton Zenon, Jorge Gonzales, Adrian Huitron, and Kenneth Weeks
• License reinstatement requests for trainer Josue Huitron, jockey Guadalupe Lucio, and trainer John Soileau
• Progress reports on OTB status from Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs

The Commission approved licensing for three new off-track wagering (OTB) facilities in LaPlace, Slidell, and Covington. It also approved amended racing dates for Fair Grounds to begin on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021. Several rule changes regarding safety equipment and medication were approved for Notice of Intent.

• Approved licensing for three new Fair Grounds OTBs in LaPlace, Slidell, and Covington
• Approved Fair Grounds racing dates from November 25, 2021 through March 27, 2021
• Approved Notice of Intent for protective helmet and safety vest rule amendments
• Approved Notice of Intent to ban Albuterol in Quarter Horses effective December 17, 2021
• Approved Notice of Intent for amendments to racing colors rules (§8501, §8509, §8511)
• Approved Notice of Intent for waiver claiming rule (§9902)
• Tabled voided claiming rules (§9911, §9913, §9914) until next meeting (8-1)
• Suspended trainer Shelton J. Zenon, Sr. for 6 months and 90 days for medication violations

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission holds an emergency meeting to consider approvals for the 2021 quarter horse and thoroughbred meets at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Harrah's Louisiana Downs. Items include race dates, officials, wagering formats, and 10-year track and OTB licenses. The commission will also elect a 1st and 2nd vice chair and review training track license renewals.

• Approval of 2021 quarter horse meet at Delta Downs with 53 race dates and designated stakes races
• Approval of 2021-2022 thoroughbred meet at Fair Grounds with 75 race dates and wagering format TBA
• Approval of 10-year licenses for track ownership and OTB operations for multiple tracks
• Election of 1st and 2nd vice chair positions
• Review of annual training track license applications for Benton, Copper Crowne, and Folsom

The Commission approved race dates, officials, and wagering formats for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. Notably, the Commission required Fair Grounds to hold 80 race days instead of the requested 75 and increased the minimum races per day from 8 to 9. Training track license renewals were also approved.

• Approved Delta Downs 2021 quarter horse meet condition book, designated races, and officials
• Approved Delta Downs 2021-2022 thoroughbred meet licenses, dates, and wagering format
• Approved Evangeline Downs 2021 thoroughbred meet designated races and officials
• Approved Evangeline Downs 2021 quarter horse meet licenses, wagering, and a one-month deferral of slot funds disbursement
• Approved Fair Grounds 2021-2022 thoroughbred meet licenses and wagering
• Approved Fair Grounds 80-day race meet (overriding requested 75 days) and minimum of 9 races per day
• Approved Louisiana Downs amended racing dates, condition book, and officials
• Approved license renewals for Benton Training Center, Training Center at Copper Crowne, and Folsom Thoroughbred Training Center

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission holds an emergency meeting to consider multiple requests from racetracks to amend their 2021 racing dates, including a proposal to transfer Fair Grounds' quarter horse race dates and purses to Evangeline Downs. The commission will also ratify officials, approve condition books, discuss anti-violence policies at Fair Grounds, and consider rule changes regarding stabling and claiming. Additionally, the commission will hear appeals and adjudications for violations, and consider license approvals for two convicted felons.

• Approval of amended 2021 quarter horse meet dates for Boyd Racing/Delta Downs
• Approval of amended 2021 thoroughbred meet dates for Evangeline Downs (84 race dates)
• Transfer of Fair Grounds' 2021 quarter horse race dates and purses to Evangeline Downs
• Ratification of designated stakes races for Fair Grounds 2020-2021 meet (including Louisiana Derby)
• Discussion of rule requiring tracks to be open for stabling 30 days before and 15 after meet

The Commission named Commissioner Guilbeau as Acting Chairman following the death of Bob Wright. The board approved amended racing dates and officials for thoroughbred and quarter horse meets at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs. Several trainers and jockeys received suspensions or fines following medication and drug testing violations.

• Named Commissioner Guilbeau as Acting Chairman
• Approved amended 2021 quarter horse meet for Delta Downs
• Approved amended 2021 thoroughbred meet for Evangeline Downs
• Ratified March 24, 2021 race date addition for Fair Grounds
• Ratified amended 2021 quarter horse meet dates for Louisiana Downs
• Approved 64-day apprentice allowance extension for jockey Kody Kellenberger
• Approved licenses for James E. Bynum (Owner) and Hope M. Matte (Groom)
• Suspended jockey Coby J. Bourque for five years (human drug testing 4th offense)