By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Sports
Early this spring, new Louisiana Downs Racetrack and Casino owner Kevin Preston spoke proudly about bringing the Super Derby to the Bossier City oval for the first time since 2019.
“It puts us back on the map and shows that this new ownership group is serious about racing, and about bringing this track back to life,” Preston said in an April 6 Shreveport-Bossier Journal story.
Four months later, there are doubts about the Super Derby taking place Sept. 10 as planned.
Wednesday, a source with direct knowledge of the situation — who spoke on the condition of anonymity — told the Journal that as of now, what used to be the Downs’ biggest race will not be reborn this year.
The source said there are several reasons. The main reason is that the Downs is cutting daily purses by $1,000 starting next week. In a recent meeting with Preston, local horsemen voiced their displeasure about a planned $300,000 Super Derby purse likely going to out-of-town horsemen, while purses are being reduced for those who run at the Downs every day.
“I’m glad the horsemen were able to voice their opinion, and their opinion was taken to heart,” said Mike McHalffey, who represents Bossier Parish on the Louisiana State Racing Commission. “They put on the show and should have some say in such decisions to have the race or not. Maybe next year, Louisiana Downs will be in a better position to bring back the Super Derby.”
Other reasons for the apparent cancellation, according to the source, include the Louisiana Attorney General’s office looking into $2.3 million of missing money stemming from the ownership transaction a year ago; and the recent, clearly unrelated resignation of Mitch Dennison, who was hired in April as the Downs’ General Manager of Racing and reportedly left due to philosophical differences.
The source said horsemen did not think all things considered, staging the Super Derby was a “good look.”
Wednesday evening, in response to a request for comment, Preston e-mailed the Journal, “We have no comments for you specifically at this time.” Earlier, Andrea Butler, the track’s marketing director, said details would be released Friday. She would not confirm or deny the Super Derby’s cancellation.
As industry observers wonder if a 2022 Super Derby could, at this late stage, attract nationally-competitive horses, one local trainer said there are long odds against Louisiana Downs pulling off an event on the level of past Super Derby races. He said he believes there won’t be a 2022 edition, but didn’t totally discount the possibility of a race bearing the title being staged a month from now.
“It’s still not (officially) dead, but I think it probably is…They haven’t said it’s on, but they haven’t said it’s off,” the trainer said.
Asked if enough time remains to pull together a quality field, the trainer said, “They better get on the ball.”
Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com