JOURNAL SPORTS

As one national analyst wrote this week, Saturday is a day to pay attention to Louisiana Downs.

Next Saturday’s Super Derby is the single race that draws the most attention each season for the 51-year-old horse racing track, but this Saturday’s eight-race slate is prime cut for horse players and casual fans.

The Louisiana Cup Stakes card offers six stakes races at $75,000 each. The first race of the day goes off at 3:35 with the stakes races beginning at 4:31.

“If Louisiana Downs isn’t normally on your radar, this Saturday is the day to pay attention,” said an analyst at todaysracingdigest.com previewing Saturday’s action in Bossier City.  “From juvenile chaos to turf marathons, this is a betting playground masquerading as a regional card.”

Each of the racetracks around the state has a Louisiana Bred Day featuring races that include only Louisiana Bred horses, and this is LAD’s. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Association is the backbone of the Louisiana Cup series.

All of Saturday’s stakes races will have fields from 8-13 entries, leading to bigger betting payouts.

Another appealing incentive to attend Saturday – the LTBA’s scholarship giveaway. Four $1,000 college scholarships will be handed out with an hour-long registration window beginning at 2:35. Participants – current or eligible college students, 18 or older, must be present to win. The prizes will be awarded at the winner’s circle following the day’s fifth race.

Thursday, the local racetrack held its post position drawing for next Saturday’s $250,000 Super Derby, with seven 3-year-old Grade 1 thoroughbreds from around the country inbound from a field of nearly three dozen entries.