LHBPA Makes Plea to Commission for Emergency Stabling For Thoroughbreds

VINTON, LA—SEPTEMBER 3, 2020—In the aftermath of Hurricane Laura that devastated structures at Delta Downs last week, the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (LHBPA) made a written plea to the Louisiana State Racing Commission on Tuesday (Sept. 2) asking for an emergency order to be handed down that would mandate "immediate access to stalls at both Louisiana Downs and Fair Grounds,"

The request for stabling involves Thoroughbreds who would normally have moved from Evangeline to Delta for their fall meet. It is complicated by meets for both Quarters Horses and Thoroughbreds ending and starting within the same time frame at the state's four racetracks.

In addition the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic is making movement of people and horses difficult.

According to the letter by LHBPA president Benard Chatters, management at the Fair Grounds refused a request by Delta to open up stabling after its barn area and facility sustained significant damage from the storm which required the immediate removal of horses and personal from the backside for their safety and so that repairs could begin.

Chatters wrote that 800 Thoroughbreds remain at Evangeline Downs, which just finished its Thoroughbred meet on August 29th. Normally, those horses would move on to Delta Downs for the Oct. 6-Feb. 27 meet, but the track and its racino are currently closed to assess and fix damage.

Quarter Horse racing will begin its Evangeline Downs live meet on Sep. 17 and run through Dec. 19.

In addition to asking for a mandate of emergency stabling to be opened at Fair Grounds and Louisiana Downs, the LHBPA is asking for “customary living quarters” at those tracks to house stable personnel as well as access to Monday-through-Saturday training hours.

Chatters has proposed that “Horses stabled at the Fair Grounds will be allowed to remain until Oct. 15, at which time they will return to Delta Downs or in the alternative, Louisiana Downs.