Racing Commission public meetings in 2025

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider approving a 10-year license for Fair Grounds Race Course to operate its 2025-2026 thoroughbred meet, including 70 race dates, wagering formats, and a new Pick 6 wager. The commission will also vote on amended racing dates for Louisiana Downs, ratify condition books and designated races for multiple tracks, and hear adjudications for alleged drug and electrical-device violations by trainers and jockeys.

• Fair Grounds requests 10-year license to own/operate racetrack and OTB locations, plus 70 thoroughbred race dates from Nov 20, 2025 to Mar 22, 2026
• Louisiana Downs seeks to remove 7 race days from its approved 2026 quarter horse meet, reducing to 26 dates
• Formal adoption of amended claiming rule (LAC 35:XI.9914) clarifying when horse claims can be voided or voidable
• Adjudication of 15+ violations including possession of electrical devices (jockeys Hernandez, Osuna) and equine drug positives (trainers Bernal, Clemons, Cribeiro, others)
• Approval of new officials and stewards for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs meets

Racing Commission

The Commission will consider racing dates, wagering formats, and official appointments for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. The body will also hold a public hearing regarding the Rules of Racing and adjudicate various regulatory violations.

• Request to transfer $600,000 from Fair Grounds Quarter Horse Slots purse account to Evangeline Downs
• Public hearing for comments on Rules of Racing (LAC Title 35 and LAC Title 46, Part XLI)
• Approval of 2026 racing dates and 10-year operating licenses for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs
• Approval of updated LQHBA Hair Test Policy effective October 1, 2025
• Adjudications for careless riding, electrical device possession, and equine positives

The Commission approved racing dates, wagering formats, and officials for upcoming meets at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. It also issued several suspensions and fines to trainers and jockeys for medication and conduct violations. Additionally, the Commission approved a $600,000 purse fund transfer and a 9% raise for the Executive Director.

• Approved 2025-2026 thoroughbred meet condition books and officials for Delta Downs
• Approved 2026 quarter horse meet licenses, dates, and wagering for Delta Downs
• Approved 2025 quarter horse officials and 2026 thoroughbred licenses/dates for Evangeline Downs
• Approved 2025-2026 Fair Grounds thoroughbred racing dates agreement
• Approved addition of Sept 10 and Sept 17 to 2025 Louisiana Downs thoroughbred meet
• Approved $600,000 transfer from Fair Grounds to Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse Slots purse account
• Approved updated LQHBA Hair Test Policy effective October 1, 2025
• Approved 9% raise for Executive Director Stephen Landry

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will meet on June 24, 2025, to receive an update on paddock renovations at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and to discuss the racing calendar for the 2025-2026 thoroughbred meet. The meeting is open to the public for in-person attendance only.

• Update on paddock renovations at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
• Racing calendar for 2025-2026 thoroughbred meet

The Commission approved the 2025-2026 thoroughbred meet for Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The Commission also issued a notice of intent to fine Fair Grounds for delays in paddock renovations.

• Approved 2025-2026 thoroughbred meet (Nov 20, 2025 – March 22, 2026)
• Approved notice of intent to fine Fair Grounds $10,000 per day starting June 1, 2025

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider a request from The Old Evangeline Downs, LLC to amend its 2025 thoroughbred meet schedule. The commission will also receive a progress report regarding infrastructure and renovations at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

• Request by The Old Evangeline Downs, LLC to amend approved racing dates for the 2025 thoroughbred meet
• Progress report from Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC regarding paddock renovations and infrastructure
• Discussion of assigned 2025-2026 thoroughbred race meet dates for Fair Grounds
• Adjudication regarding a refusal to abide by stewards' order at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

The Commission approved a request from The Old Evangeline Downs, LLC to amend previously approved racing dates. The Commission also approved move-in and race dates submitted by the LaHBPA for the Fair Grounds 2025-2026 meet, which were rejected by Fair Grounds representatives.

• Approved request by The Old Evangeline Downs, LLC to amend racing dates (motion carried)
• Approved move-in and race dates as submitted by the LaHBPA (motion carried)
• Continued matter regarding Fair Grounds infrastructure and paddock renovations to the next meeting
• Continued adjudication of Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC regarding refusal to abide by stewards' order (motion carried)

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will vote on multi-year licenses, racing dates, and wagering formats for the 2025-2026 thoroughbred and quarter horse meets at Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. Louisiana Downs also requests to remove 16 race days from its 2025 thoroughbred schedule. The agenda includes progress reports on track infrastructure, ratification of condition books and stakes races, approval of track officials, and several adjudication hearings for rule violations.

• Louisiana Downs requests to cut 16 thoroughbred race days from its 2025 meet, reducing from 70 to 60 dates
• Approval of 10-year racetrack and OTB licenses for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs
• Ratification of 2025 quarter horse stakes races at Delta Downs, including the Miss Polly Classic and Firecracker Derby
• Adjudication hearings for multiple trainers and jockeys on drug violations, electrical device possession, and impermissible conduct
• Annual renewal of training track licenses for Copper Crowne, Folsom, and Louisiana Downs training centers

The Commission ratified condition books, race dates, and wagering formats for Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs. It also approved several training track renewals and issued disciplinary rulings for trainers and jockeys. Fair Grounds' 2025-2026 thoroughbred dates were amended to 76 days.

• Approved 2025 quarter horse meet condition books, races, and officials for Delta Downs
• Approved 2025-2026 thoroughbred meet license, dates, and wagering for Delta Downs
• Approved 2025 thoroughbred meet condition books, races, and officials for Evangeline Downs
• Approved 2025 quarter horse meet license, dates, and wagering for Evangeline Downs
• Approved 76 thoroughbred race dates for Fair Grounds (Nov 20, 2025 – Apr 9, 2026)
• Approved Fair Grounds 2025 quarter horse meet licenses in absentia
• Approved request by Louisiana Downs to remove 10 total race days from 2025 thoroughbred meet
• Upheld disqualification of horse #8 CHARCO in Race 3 on Feb 1, 2025 at Delta Downs

Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission will consider transferring $1.8 million from Delta Downs' purse account to Evangeline Downs for its 2025 thoroughbred meet, moving the Fair Grounds quarter horse meet to Delta Downs, and amending Evangeline Downs' racing dates. The commission will also vote on officials for the 2025 quarter horse and thoroughbred meets, approve a new assistant executive director, and hear several adjudications involving equine drug positives and other violations.

• Approval of $1.8M transfer from Delta Downs to Evangeline Downs purse account
• Approval to move 2025 Fair Grounds Quarter Horse Meet to Delta Downs
• Ratification of Katie White as Assistant Executive Director of LSRC
• Approval of officials for 2025 quarter horse and thoroughbred meets
• Adjudication of multiple equine drug positive rulings