Racing Commission public meetings in 2024
6 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will meet on October 17, 2024, at Delta Downs in Vinton. They will consider progress reports from three racetracks, approve race dates and officials for upcoming quarter horse and thoroughbred meets, and discuss or adopt several rule changes, including a new jockey fee schedule and rules on house rules and sports wagering purses. The agenda also includes license reinstatements and adjudications for rule violations.
- Approval of first condition book for 2024 quarter horse meet at Evangeline Downs and 2024-2025 thoroughbred meet at Fair Grounds
- Approval of 70 thoroughbred race dates (May 3–Sept 25, 2025) at Louisiana Downs with daily post time 4:05 PM
- Discussion of amending the jockey fee schedule (LAC 46:XLI Chapter 7 §725)
- Formal adoption of new rules: House Rules (§5728) and Purses from Sports Wagering (§5734)
- Reinstatement requests from trainers Hector R. Alcala, Kenneth 'Trey' Ellis, Robert J. Touchet, and Joseph M. Davis
The Commission approved condition books, designated races, and officials for upcoming meets at Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. It also issued several suspensions and fines to trainers for medication and claiming violations. Additionally, the board approved a $11,000 reimbursement for the LQHBA Hair Testing Program.
- Approved $11,000 reimbursement for LQHBA Hair Testing Program
- Approved 2024-2025 Thoroughbred meet condition books and officials for Fair Grounds
- Approved 2025 Thoroughbred meet dates, races, and post times for Louisiana Downs
- Approved 2024 Quarter Horse meet condition books and officials for Evangeline Downs
- Reinstated licenses with probation for trainers Hector R. Alcala, Kenneth Ellis, Robert J. Touchet, and Joseph M. Davis
- Suspended trainer Jason H. Magnon for 5 years (2 years active)
- Suspended trainer Fernando Valdez for 6 years (2 years active)
- Denied motions for rehearing for Thomas W. Sam, Jr. and Keith T. Sam (0-6)
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider approving 2025 race meet licenses, dates, and wagering formats for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. The agenda also includes discussion of proposed house rules, approval of race officials and stewards, and adjudication of several trainer and jockey violations.
- Approval of 10-year licenses for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs for 2025 quarter horse and thoroughbred meets
- Approval of 2025 race dates: 46 quarter horse dates at Delta Downs (4/25-7/12), 76 thoroughbred dates at Evangeline Downs (4/2-8/23), 46 quarter horse dates at Louisiana Downs (1/10-4/12), and 76 thoroughbred dates at Louisiana Downs (5/1-9/27)
- Discussion of proposed rule LAC 35:III.5728 requiring association house rules to be submitted to the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the commission for approval
- Approval to designate BMM Testlabs as an independent testing laboratory for Historical Horse Racing operations in Louisiana
- Adjudication of multiple equine drug positives and a careless riding violation, including appeals by trainers Gilberto Rosales, Kenneth L. Roberts Sr., and Jason H. Magnon
The Commission approved racing dates, wagering formats, and official appointments for upcoming Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meets at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs. It also set specific move-in dates for the Fair Grounds and transferred $300,000 in purse funds to Evangeline Downs. Several trainers and jockeys received suspensions following adjudication hearings.
- Approved Fair Grounds move-in for Sept 15, 2024, with $5 daily stall rent starting Sept 20
- Approved 2024-2025 Thoroughbred meet condition book, officials, and state steward for Delta Downs
- Approved 2025 Quarter Horse meet license, dates, and wagering for Delta Downs
- Approved 2025 Thoroughbred meet license, dates, and wagering for Evangeline Downs
- Approved 2025 Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred meet licenses, dates, and wagering for Louisiana Downs
- Approved transfer of 3 Champion's Day races and $300,000 in purses from Fair Grounds to Evangeline Downs
- Designated BMM Testlabs as an independent testing laboratory for Historical Horse Racing
- Suspended trainer Thomas W. Sam, Jr. for 12 months and placed on lifetime probation
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission is holding an emergency meeting to rescind a previously adopted emergency rule and notice of intent regarding amendments to LAC 35:1 Chapter 17 §1725 on controlled medications for thoroughbreds. The rule, which set specific dosage and withdrawal time limits for medications like phenylbutazone and Banamine, was approved at the April 29 and June 4, 2024 meetings. The commission will vote on rescinding that action.
- Rescission of emergency adoption and notice of intent for §1725 amendments on controlled medication rules
- Rule covers permitted medications, dosages, and withdrawal times for thoroughbreds
- Medications include phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine (Banamine), ketoprofen, dexamethasone, triamcinolone, and others
The Louisiana State Racing Commission met via Zoom to address proposed medication rules. The Commission voted to rescind the emergency adoption and notice of intent regarding controlled medication dosages and withdrawal times.
- Rescinded emergency adoption and notice of intent for LAC 35:1 §1725 Controlled Medication (9-0)
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission is holding an emergency meeting to discuss proposed amendments to LAC 35:1 Chapter 17, specifically §1725 Controlled Medication. The discussion will focus on Clenbuterol and Depo-Medrol, including safeguards during a transition to increased withdrawal periods. A new controlled medication schedule is proposed to take effect June 8, 2024.
- Discussion of amending §1725 Controlled Medication rules
- Focus on Clenbuterol withdrawal period and dosage
- Focus on Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate) intra-articular use
- Safeguards during transition to increased withdrawal periods
- Proposed effective date of June 8, 2024 for new medication schedule
The Louisiana State Racing Commission voted to remove dosage and withdrawal times for Depo-Medrol and Ventipulmin from a proposed emergency rule amendment. These thresholds will revert to the currently adopted Association of Racing Commissioners International schedule.
- Approved removal of Depo-Medrol and Ventipulmin thresholds from proposed emergency rule (10-0)
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider corrective actions against Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, and Louisiana Downs for failing to fund facility maintenance and improvement funds. The commission will also approve licenses, racing dates, and wagering formats for upcoming quarter horse and thoroughbred meets at multiple tracks. Additionally, the agenda includes rule amendments, appointment of special counsel, and adjudication of jockey and trainer violations.
- Corrective actions for failure to fund facility maintenance and improvement funds at Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, and Louisiana Downs
- Approval of 10-year racetrack and OTB licenses for 2024 quarter horse and thoroughbred meets at multiple tracks
- Ratification of designated stakes races and condition books for 2024 meets at Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, and Louisiana Downs
- Approval of $500,000 purse transfer from Fair Grounds 2024 quarter horse meet to Evangeline Downs 2024 quarter horse meet
- Adoption of new rules on house rules, purses and sports wagering, and claiming rule amendments
The Commission adopted new thoroughbred medication rules and formally approved regulations for disability accommodations and claiming races. It also ratified race schedules, stewards, and licenses for Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, and Louisiana Downs. Several trainers and jockeys received disciplinary actions, including suspensions and fines.
- Adopted new thoroughbred medication rules and made emergency medication rule permanent
- Formally adopted Disability Accommodations rules and updated Association Annual Plan of Operation Report rule
- Approved 2024 quarter horse meet, ten-year track license, and new wagering format for Fair Grounds
- Approved 2024-2025 thoroughbred meet licensing for Fair Grounds
- Approved 4:45 PM start time for Delta Downs to accommodate two additional races
- Appointed Kelly & Townsend as special legal counsel and Charles Gardiner as Director of Policies & Procedures
- Approved 60-day suspension for trainer Dale Z. Keith and $1,000 fine/60-day suspension for trainer Xavier Scott
- Approved lifetime probation for Donald Boxie
Racing Commission
The Louisiana State Racing Commission is reviewing progress reports from several racing associations regarding surface conditions, equipment, and facility improvements. The commission will also consider requests to amend 2024 thoroughbred meet racing dates for Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs.
- Request by The Old Evangeline Downs, LLC to amend 2024 thoroughbred race dates
- Request by Louisiana Downs Investment Company, LLC to amend 2024 thoroughbred race dates
- Approval of purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs for 2024 Thoroughbred Meet
- Selection of Executive Director of the Louisiana State Racing Commission
The Commission appointed Stephen Landry as the new Executive Director following the retirement of Charles A. Gardiner III. The board also approved amended racing dates for Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs and authorized a purse transfer between tracks.
- Appointed Stephen Landry as Executive Director
- Approved request by The Old Evangeline Downs, LLC to remove 6 race days from 2024 Thoroughbred Meet
- Approved request by Louisiana Downs Investment Company, LLC to remove 6 race days from 2024 Thoroughbred Meet
- Approved purse transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs for 2024 Thoroughbred Meet
- Approved August 28, 2023 Meeting Minutes