Racing Commission public meetings in 2023
8 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider approving a retroactive adjustment of historical horse racing (HHR) fees for the period from August 1, 2022 through June 11, 2028, including credits and reimbursements, to comply with Act 381 of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session. The administration will present additional guidance on the matter following an investigation of positions discussed at the prior meeting. The meeting is open to the public in person only.
- Retroactive adjustment of Commission HHR fees for August 1, 2022 through June 11, 2028
- Application of credits and reimbursements to comply with Commission HHR fee rate
- Administration to advise on additional guidance regarding CDI's positions from last meeting
The Louisiana State Racing Commission approved a retroactive adjustment of Commission HHR fees to 0.35% for the period from August 1, 2022, through June 11, 2023. This action follows guidance from the Louisiana Division of Administration and Louisiana Legislative Auditor regarding Act 381 of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session.
- Approved retroactive adjustment of Commission HHR fees to 0.35% for August 1, 2022 through June 11, 2023
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will meet to adjudicate appeals of rulings, consider association requests including ratification of officials and a request by Louisiana Downs to amend racing dates, and hear an order to show cause against Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company for failure to pay 1% of HHR wagers. The commission will also consider proposed rules on electronic meeting ineligibility and disability accommodations, and a cooperative endeavor agreement for a horse sensor program.
- Order to show cause against Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company for failure to pay 1% of total HHR wagers for FYE 2022-2023
- Louisiana Downs request to amend 2024 quarter horse meet: add 16 race days, remove 21 race days
- Approval of cooperative endeavor agreement for Horse Sensor Program at Fair Grounds' 2023-2024 Thoroughbred Meet
- Proposed new rules: LAC 35:I.321 (Commission ineligible for electronic meetings) and LAC 35:I.322 (Disability accommodations)
- Adjudication appeals for equine positives (albuterol, theophylline, TCO2, zilpaterol) and careless riding violations
The Commission issued multiple suspensions and fines for jockeys and trainers following medication and riding violations. It also approved changes to race dates for Louisiana Downs and authorized a horse sensor program at Fair Grounds.
- Suspended jockeys Rene Hernandez, Juan Garcia, Jr., Guadalupe Lucio, Jr., and Charles McMahon for 7 days each
- Fined trainer Joy I. Marlin $1,000 and ordered purse redistribution (6-5)
- Suspended trainer Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr. for 90 days effective Dec 17, 2023
- Fined trainer Timothy Martin $2,000 and suspended for 45 days
- Fined trainer Benjamin J. Zeno $1,000 and ordered purse redistribution
- Fined trainer Mario A. Trujillo, Jr. $4,000 and suspended for 2 years
- Suspended jockey Bethany L. Taylor's license due to failure to pay child support
- Approved Louisiana Downs request to add 16 race days and remove 21 race days
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will hear appeals from jockeys and trainers on careless riding and drug violations, and consider multiple association requests for race date amendments, license approvals, and wagering rules for 2024 meets at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. The commission will also discuss legislative bills, a special counsel contract, and a rule change on claiming procedures.
- Delta Downs requests to amend 2023-24 thoroughbred meet: remove 10 race days, add 2, change post time
- Evangeline Downs seeks 10-year licenses for 2024 quarter horse and thoroughbred meets with 46 and 76 race dates respectively
- Fair Grounds requests to remove 4 race days from 2023-24 meet and adjust post times
- Louisiana Downs seeks 10-year licenses for 2024 quarter horse (46 dates) and thoroughbred (57 dates) meets
- Approval of special counsel contract with Paul A. Bonin for LGCB v. Lafourche matter
The Commission approved racing dates, licenses, and wagering for 2024 thoroughbred and quarter horse meets at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs. It also issued several suspensions to jockeys and trainers for riding and medication violations. Additionally, the board authorized $25,000 for random horse hair testing at Evangeline Downs.
- Approved 2024 racing dates, licenses, and wagering for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs
- Authorized $25,000 for random horse hair testing at Evangeline Downs
- Approved transfer of approximately $250,000 in purse funds from Fair Grounds to Evangeline Downs
- Suspended trainer Homar Garza for 1 year and fined $2,000
- Suspended trainer Juan R. Cano for 7 months and 17 days
- Suspended trainer Eduardo L. Morales for 6 months and fined $1,000
- Suspended jockeys Angel Suarez, Jose L. Rodriguez, and Arturo Alvarez for 7 days each
- Suspended jockey Rolando Cabrera for 14 days
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission is holding an emergency meeting to formally adopt amendments to rules on owner entries and horse disqualifications, and to discuss/approve a purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs for the 2023 Quarter Horse Meet. The commission will also consider amendments to Louisiana Downs’ 2023 Thoroughbred Meet to reduce the number of races per day, change post time, and adjust race mix to mitigate potential overpayment of purses.
- Formal adoption of amended LAC 35:V §63 (owner entry of more than one horse)
- Formal adoption of amended LAC 35:V §79 (horse disqualification for a foul)
- Approval of purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs for 2023 Quarter Horse Meet
- Discussion/approval of reducing Louisiana Downs 2023 Thoroughbred Meet races to 7 per day
- Discussion/approval of changing Louisiana Downs daily first post time to 3:35 PM
The Commission approved rule amendments regarding horse entries and disqualifications. It also authorized a purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs and approved schedule changes for the Louisiana Downs 2023 Thoroughbred Meet to prevent purse overpayment.
- Approved amendments to LAC 35: V Chapter 63 (§6335) and LAC 85: V Chapter 79 (§7907)
- Approved purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs for 2023 Quarter Horse Meet
- Approved reducing Louisiana Downs 2023 Thoroughbred Meet to 7 races per day
- Approved changing Louisiana Downs 2023 Thoroughbred Meet daily 1st post time to 3:35PM
- Approved adjusting the mix of races at Louisiana Downs to prevent purse overpayment
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will meet to approve minutes, adjudicate violations including careless riding and drug positives, and consider license approvals. They will act on requests from Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs for racing dates, 10-year licenses, officials, wagering formats, and infrastructure plans. The commission will also consider formal adoption of new rules for associations' duties and obligations.
- Adjudication of multiple equine drug positives (Albuterol, Theophylline, Zilpaterol) and a human drug positive for jockey Victor Urieta
- Delta Downs request to add a race date and amend 2023 quarter horse meet with 46 race dates and designated races
- Fair Grounds request for 10-year license and 80 thoroughbred race dates for 2023-2024 meet
- Approval of new rules for racetrack security, barns, backside internet access, and minimum infrastructure investment
- Designation of Paul Bonin as Special Counsel to the commission
The Commission issued a lifetime ban to trainer Gregory J. Tracy and various suspensions for drug and riding violations. The board also approved racing dates, wagering formats, and infrastructure plans for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs.
- Issued lifetime ban and $1,000 fine to trainer Gregory J. Tracy
- Suspended trainer Erika Huitron for 9 months
- Suspended trainer James J. Guillory for 90 days
- Suspended assistant trainer James A. Tracy indefinitely
- Suspended jockey Victor M. Urieta, Jr. for 30 days
- Suspended jockeys Juan P. Vargas and Brianne Culp for 7 days each
- Approved probational licensure for jockey Logan H. Cormier
- Approved Paul A. Bonin as Special Counsel to LSRC
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission holds an emergency public meeting on March 183, 2023 to consider approval of a purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs, contingent on an agreement between Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs for 61 specific race dates for their 2023 Thoroughbred meets. Full application packets must be submitted by April 6, 2023 for approval at the April 17, 2023 Commission meeting.
- Approval of purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs, contingent on agreement between Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs for 61 specific race dates for each of their 2023 Thoroughbred meets, with full application packets due by April 6, 2023
The Commission approved a one-time $1.8 million purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs. It also approved a reduction to 61 total race days for the 2028 thoroughbred meets at Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs. Additionally, Louisiana Downs was approved to run 7 races per day on overlapping dates with Evangeline Downs.
- Approved $1.8M purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs (10-0)
- Approved reduction to 61 total race days for 2028 thoroughbred meets at Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs (10-0)
- Approved Louisiana Downs to run 7 races per day on dates overlapping with Evangeline Downs (10-0)
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission is holding an emergency public meeting to consider adopting two rule amendments. One amendment changes rules on how many horses of the same ownership can enter a race. The other amendment updates disqualification rules for horses involved in a foul. The meeting is online via Zoom.
- Amend LAC 35:V §6335 on owner's entry of more than one horse
- Amend LAC 35:V §7907 on horses disqualified for a foul
- Emergency adoption of rules
- Public participation via Zoom or phone
The Commission approved emergency adoptions and notices of intent for two rule amendments. These changes affect owner entries of multiple horses and disqualifications for fouls.
- Approved emergency adoption and notice of intent for LAC 35:V §6335 regarding Owner's Entry of More Than One Horse
- Approved emergency adoption and notice of intent for LAC 35:V §7907 regarding Horses Disqualified for a Foul
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will hold a meeting on January 31, 2023, at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino. The agenda includes adjudications of violations (careless riding, drug testing, equine positives), license approvals, and association requests from Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. The commission will also discuss infrastructure plans, HHR wagering takeout, and a proposal to reduce thoroughbred race days per meet to 76.
- Discussion of potential legislation to reduce thoroughbred race days per meet to 76 days (LaHBPA request)
- Discussion of HHR wagering takeout
- Consideration/approval of associations' responses to commission-approved infrastructure plans (new barn construction at Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs)
- Discussion of Fair Grounds' position on admission fees
- Ratification of post time change (to 1:35 PM) and lowering Pick 4 takeout from 25% to 15% for Louisiana Downs' 2023 quarter horse meet
The Commission approved moving the Fair Grounds 2023 Quarter Horse Meet to Delta Downs and directed staff to draft rules allowing uncoupled same-owner entries. Several trainers and jockeys received suspensions for riding and medication violations. The board also set a 1% license fee for HHR wagering administration.
- Approved moving Fair Grounds 2023 Quarter Horse Meet to Delta Downs
- Directed staff to draft rule language for uncoupled same-owner entries
- Reduced Delta Downs 2023 quarter horse hair testing pilot program expenditure to $50,000
- Set HHR administration license fee at 1% of total amount wagered
- Approved budget for higher state steward pay to remain competitive
- Denied license reinstatement for owner/trainer Joseph M. Davis (3-6)
- Suspended trainer Veronica Davis for 1 year and fined $2,500
- Suspended trainer Rosendo Valdez, Jr. for 1 year and fined $1,500