Racing Commission public meetings in 2022
6 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will hear adjudications for multiple drug violations, consider license approvals for convicted felons, and review association requests including wagering changes at Fair Grounds. The most significant item is the proposed emergency adoption of new rules on racetrack security, barns, internet access, and grandstand amenities, along with approval of infrastructure plans for four racetracks.
- Adjudications for 15 trainers and one owner involving Zilpaterol, Albuterol, Clenbuterol, Mescaline, and other drug positives
- Request to lower Pick 6 takeout from 25% to 15% and Pick 5 takeout to 15% at Fair Grounds for 2022-2023 thoroughbred meet
- Approval of infrastructure compliance plans for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs
- Designation of Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau as integrity auditor for Historical Horse Racing
- Request for exemption from federal Lasix prohibition for Louisiana horses
The Commission adopted emergency infrastructure rules and individual compliance plans for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. It also issued several suspensions to trainers for equine positives and approved a $100,000 pilot program for random hair testing. Additionally, the board approved the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau as the HHR Integrity Auditor.
- Adopted emergency infrastructure rules and individual plans for four racetracks
- Approved $100,000 pilot program for random hair testing with LQHBA and Delta Downs
- Suspended owner Cecilia A. Mucio for 5 years (effective 10/26/22)
- Suspended trainer Robert J. Touchet for 3 years and fined $5,000
- Suspended trainer Ruben Chavez for 3 years (effective 11/4/22)
- Approved Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau as HHR Integrity Auditor
- Approved request for HISA exemption regarding LASIX use
- Authorized OTB referendum requests for seven parishes
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider formal adoption of new rules restricting riding crop use in thoroughbred races and emergency adoption of infrastructure investment requirements per SB272 and HB1055. The commission will also hear adjudications for multiple drug violations involving Zilpaterol and other substances, and approve 2023 racing dates, wagering, and licenses for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. Other business includes progress reports, committee updates, and discussion of track surface maintenance and stall requests.
- Adjudications for Zilpaterol and other drug violations involving multiple trainers (Larry D. Keith, Jose D. Barron, Kenneth Ellis, others)
- Approval of 2023 racing dates and wagering for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs
- Formal adoption of new riding crop rule (LAC 35:VII Chapter 89) with restrictions on use and penalties of $100-$500 or suspension
- Emergency adoption of infrastructure investment rules for associations per SB272 and HB1055, effective 180 days from September 30, 2022
- Consideration of 17 off-track betting (OTB) applications for Louisiana Downs across multiple parishes
The Commission approved racing dates, wagering, and stewards for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs. It also formally adopted new rules regarding whips, claiming, and trainers. All adjudications were deferred to the next meeting.
- Approved 2022-2023 Thoroughbred and 2023 Quarter Horse meet dates, wagering, and licenses for Delta Downs
- Approved 2022 and 2023 meet dates, wagering, and licenses for Evangeline Downs
- Approved 2023 Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred meet dates, wagering, and licenses for Louisiana Downs
- Approved transfer of three Champion’s Day quarter horse races from Fair Grounds to Evangeline Downs
- Formally adopted rules for Whips, Claiming Rule, and Trainers (effective Oct 1, 2022)
- Denied license reinstatement for Kalee A. Mancha (4-4 tie vote)
- Authorized LSRC veterinarians to pull samples from LQHBA Sale Futurity participants for forensic analysis
- Mandated Evangeline Downs turf track be ready by opening day of 2023 Thoroughbred Meet
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider formal adoption of new rules for wagering on historical horse racing, a significant regulatory expansion. The meeting also includes license approval for a convicted felon groom, adjudications for drug violations by trainers, and requests from racetracks to amend racing dates. Updates on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and state legislation will be discussed.
- Formal adoption of new rules for historical horse racing wagering (Chapter 131)
- License approval for Patrick Fox, a convicted felon, as groom/hotwalker
- Adjudications for drug positives (Zilpaterol) against trainers Larry D. Keith, Jose D. Barron, and Javier N. Contreras
- Request by Boyd Racing to amend 2022 quarter horse meet dates at Delta Downs
- Discussion of purse issue between LaHBPA and Harrah's Bossier City Investment Company
The Commission formally adopted rules for wagering on Historical Horse Racing and suspended piroplasmosis testing for thoroughbreds. Several trainers and jockeys received suspensions following adjudications. The board also approved amended racing dates for Delta Downs.
- Approved formal adoption of LAC 85:XVII Chapter 131 regarding Historical Horse Racing wagering
- Suspended piroplasmosis testing requirement for thoroughbreds
- Approved amended racing dates for Delta Downs Quarter Horse Meet
- Suspended trainer Javier N. Contreras for 5 years and fined $5,000
- Suspended trainer Teddy L. Guy, Jr. for 6 months followed by 1 year probation
- Suspended jockeys David A. Alvarez and Ubaldo Luna for 7 calendar days each
- Approved license for Patrick Fox as Groom/Hotwalker
- Required Evangeline Downs to provide a written turf course plan by July 15, 2022
Racing Commission
The Commission is reviewing racing dates, officials, and wagering formats for upcoming meets at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. The agenda also includes adjudications for trainer violations involving Zilpaterol and discussions regarding new rules for the use of riding crops.
- Approval of 2024 quarter horse meet dates and officials for Delta Downs
- Review of 10-year racetrack and OTB licenses for Boyd Racing, LLC
- Adjudications regarding trainer violations for Zilpaterol and unnatural stimulation
- Discussion of Fair Grounds' plan to transfer 2022 Quarter Horse race dates
- Proposed new rules for the use of riding crops in Thoroughbred races
The Commission handed down several suspensions for equine drug violations and a lifetime ban for a jockey. It approved race dates and wagering formats for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Fair Grounds, including a transfer of quarter horse dates from Fair Grounds to Delta Downs.
- Suspended trainer Rosendo Valdez, Jr. for 8 years and fined $12,000
- Suspended trainer Lanny D. Keith for 2 years followed by 2 years probation
- Suspended trainer Manuel Pizana for 2 years followed by 2 years probation
- Suspended trainer Manuel H. Macias for 1.5 years followed by 1.5 years probation
- Suspended trainer Fernando Lopez for 1 year followed by 1 year probation
- Suspended trainer Hance 'Ray' Robbins for 1 year
- Issued lifetime ban from licensure to jockey Joseph W. Patin, Jr.
- Approved transfer of 2022 quarter horse race dates and purses from Fair Grounds to Delta Downs
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will meet online via Zoom and phone on January 28, 2022. The agenda includes requests from Delta Downs to lower takeout on Pick 4 and Pick 5 wagers for Louisiana Premier Day, from Harrah's Louisiana Downs to adjust 2022 quarter horse racing dates, and approval of technical amendments to historical horse racing rules.
- Boyd Racing/Delta Downs requests lowering Pick 4 and Pick 5 takeout from 25% to 12% for Louisiana Premier Day on Feb 5, 2022
- Harrah's Louisiana Downs requests adding March 5, 2022 and removing April 7, 2022 from approved 2022 quarter horse meet dates
- Approval of technical amendments to HHR rules on records retention, operational requirements, and race specification/selection
- Public participation available via Zoom (ID 828 1797 7359, passcode 794141) or phone
The Commission approved a temporary reduction in wagering take-out for Delta Downs and a date change for the Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet. Technical amendments to Historical Horse Racing (HHR) rules were also approved.
- Approved lowering Pick 4 and Pick 5 wagering take-out from 25% to 12% for Feb. 5, 2022, at Delta Downs
- Approved adding March 5, 2022, and removing April 7, 2022, from Louisiana Downs racing dates
- Approved technical amendments to Historical Horse Racing (HHR) rules
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission is meeting to review association progress reports, approve racing officials, and discuss new licensing fees for Historical Horse Racing operations. The agenda also includes discussions regarding the enforcement of Albuterol bans and potential changes to whip usage and claiming rules.
- Approval of HHR Association initial license fee of $125,000
- Approval of HHR Establishment/OTB initial license fee of $7,000
- Proposed new rules for the use of riding crops and penalties up to $500
- Discussion of opting out of the HISA Lasix ban
- Ratification of officials and stewards for various 2022 racing meets
The Commission approved Gaming Laboratories International, LLC as the independent testing lab for Historical Horse Racing (HHR) and authorized mobile funding for HHR accounts. It also established an April 17, 2022, enforcement date for the Albuterol ban in quarter horses and issued multiple suspensions for equine positives and electrical device violations.
- Approved Gaming Laboratories International, LLC as HHR independent testing laboratory
- Approved HHR wagering accounts to be funded via mobile devices and advance-deposit mechanisms
- Approved 60-day extension for daytime racing at Delta Downs pending lighting fixes
- Set April 17, 2022, as enforcement date for Albuterol ban in quarter horses
- Approved lifetime ban for jockey Billy C. Patin (Electrical Device/Rider Wagering)
- Suspended trainer Hector R. Alcala for 5 years (Equine Positives)
- Suspended trainer Barbara J. Alcantara for 1 year and 60 days (Equine Positives)
- Suspended trainer Adrian E. Huitron for 240 days (Equine Positives)