The history of Louisiana Downs
Edward DeBartolo, Sr., a famous Midwest shopping center developer, who had previously built racetracks in Ohio decided to build one in Louisiana and opened Louisiana Downs on October 30, 1974. There were approximately 15,000 fans in attendance on opening day as Louisiana residents and also residents from nearby Texas came out to watch and wager on the horses. The venture was enormously successful to begin; Louisiana Downs broke national records for wagering handle and attendance well into the 1980’s.
As the 80’s gave way to the 90’s, however, the track began to notice some decline. This continued not only at Louisiana Downs but at the other racetracks in the state until live racing appeared to be on its deathbed. A bold move by the state legislature to offer slot machine gaming on racetrack property with revenues from slots being used to bolster purse money attracted the interest of gaming giant Caesar’s Entertainment which purchased Louisiana Downs in 2002.
In the immediate aftermath of allowing slot machines at the racetrack the revenues did increase and racing began to thrive once again. This proved to be a short-lived period of prosperity. A track that once drew 15,000 spectators on a mid-week day of racing now struggles to fill the grandstand on a beautiful weekend. It appears that the involvement of gaming companies was not the salvation local horsemen had hoped for.
Louisiana Downs as a Betting Market
Louisiana Downs in Bossier City occupies an interesting position in the American racing landscape as a regional track that serves the Louisiana and broader southern US racing community. The track’s simulcast operations — broadcasting races from major tracks across the country to its facilities — make it a hub for Louisiana bettors who want to wager on racing from multiple circuits in a social, in-person environment even when live racing is not scheduled locally. This simulcast model has become increasingly central to the economics of regional tracks across America.
For bettors who wager on Louisiana Downs live racing specifically, understanding the circuit’s class hierarchy and the competitive level of horses racing there is essential for accurate form assessment. Louisiana-based horses have their own established form lines that can be challenging to compare against horses from other regional circuits without track-specific knowledge. Bettors who develop genuine familiarity with the Louisiana circuit — its leading trainers, its class levels, and its typical pace dynamics — gain an edge over those applying national form analysis frameworks without the local context that makes those frameworks reliable. For more on American regional racing, our articles on horse racing betting in America and online horse betting legal states provide the broader context. And our guide to off track betting online covers how to access simulcast wagering wherever you are.
The Super Derby
The marquee event of the Louisiana Downs racing meet is the Grade II Super Derby. With a purse today of $500,000 the race features many talented three-year-old runners from Louisiana and other parts of the country. While the race still has appeal, there was a time in the track’s heyday when the race featured the likes of Alysheba, Sunday Silence, and Tiznow. At that time the race was worth $1 million dollars and was a Grade I.
On Super Derby day there are other stakes races named after famous horses that competed at the track. One of these was Shiskabob. A local favorite, Shiskabob won many races at Louisiana Downs before breaking down on the track. The horse is buried on the backstretch of the track and a horseshoe monument detailing his accomplishments is located at one of the entrances. Visitors to the track often leave coins on the horseshoe as a plea for good luck.
If you want to bet on horses online check our racebook reviews.
