JOURNAL SPORTS
Louisiana Downs will kick off its 50th live thoroughbred-racing season Saturday, with a simulcast of the 149th Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs and seven races beginning at 2:05.
Post time for the Running of the Roses is 5:57 p.m.
Opening Day begins at Louisiana Downs at 11 a.m. Saturday. A family-friendly event will include live entertainment, a Kids’ Zone, Food Truck Alley, and more. Guests dressed in their finest Kentucky Derby outfit could win $100. Guests will also receive a free $5 bet by swiping their Club 74 card at the racing promotional kiosks.
Box seats are available for Saturday and can be reserved at ladowns.com online. An all-day buffet will be available in the track’s clubhouse for $50 per person or in the Skyroom for $60 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing reservations@ladowns.com.
Thoroughbred season runs through Sept. 12, with 61 dates at the venerable track. Racing will be held every Saturday, Sunday and Monday with five Tuesday slates also offered, the first on May 30. To view this racing season’s calendar, visit ladowns.com/racing. Post time daily is 2:05.
Among major events planned during the meet, two were cited by track officials at media day on Wednesday. On Memorial Day, the ever-popular Exotic Animal Races will take the track. On Sept. 2, the track’s signature race, the Super Derby, returns after a hiatus.
Three other big days on the track’s official calendar are May 24, for the Alabama Stakes, Aug. 5 when the track stages Louisiana Cup Day, and Aug. 19 for the Cotton States Stakes.
