Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News November 22, 2024

Louisiana Racing Commission Gives Final Approval For Louisiana Downs Sale

The sale of Louisiana Downs in Bossier City is expected to close by November 1st.

© Lou Hodges Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA—OCTOBER 26, 2021—According to an article published today on the Shreveport Times website ( www.shreveporttimes.com) the Louisiana's Racing Commission approved the $22 million sale of Harrah's Louisiana Downs Racetrack & Casino to Rubico Gaming.

The approval came after the Louisiana Gaming Commission approved the deal last week. Both regulators had to sign off on the deal, which has been in progress for more than a year. The sale is expected to close on November 1st.

"We are prepared to bring this iconic track back to its iconic status," Rubico President Kevin Preston told the commission.

Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and during its heyday, in the early 1980s, hosted as many as 1.3 million fans over the racing season.

Louisiana Downs has roughly 12,000 square feet of casino floor space in addition to the expansive horse racing facility. Rubico will continue to operate the racetrack as well as the casino and plans to apply for a sports betting license.

Preston told regulators the new owner plans to make significant upgrades to the casino and the racetrack campus.

Louisiana Downs normally hosts 46 days of Quarter Horse racing January thru April each year and is home to the restricted Grade 2 $250,000-est. Mardi Gras Futurity and the Grade 3 $200,000-est. Harrah's Entertainment Futurity.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.