Attention Horsemen:

The Louisiana HBPA has been working diligently with the Louisiana State Racing Commission and the Louisiana Attorney General’s office in connection with Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs having their racing surfaces open for training. Please see attached a letter from Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain pertaining to the necessity of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses to be exercised on a race track rather than be kept isolated in stalls for extended periods of time (Download Here). Further, please see attached, a synopsis as to how other racing jurisdictions are functioning for the use of their surfaces for training (Download Here).

Efforts are being made through the court system to rectify this situation as quickly as possible. However, it is not expected that any race tracks will allow new horses and supporting personal entrance into any race track in Louisiana for the next 7 to 10 days. Please check back as we will be posting updates as soon as they become available.

Attention Horsemen:

The Louisiana State Racing Commission issued the attached Emergency Ruling on Friday March 20, 2020 in response to the Louisiana HBPA’s request for help. The order provides for each Race Track to allow horses to move customarily between tracks to each trainer’s allocated stalls and to continue training.

See the attached Notice. (Download Here)

Boyd Gaming, on behalf of Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs, responded to the Commission’s order by filing a temporary restraining order to prevent our members from moving their horses into Delta Downs or Evangeline Downs and to continue training. The hearing on this restraining order is scheduled to be heard on Friday March 27, 2020.

On behalf of its members, the Louisiana HBPA appreciates the prompt response and assistance from the Louisiana State Racing Commission and the Louisiana Attorney General’s office in their assistance and protection of our industry participants.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Attention Horsemen:

The Louisiana State Racing Commission and Boyd Gaming has said that Horses do NOT have to leave Evangeline Downs or Delta Downs by the 5PM Wednesday deadline previously issued by Boyd.

Attention Horsemen:

The Louisiana HBPA has requested that each of the Louisiana Race Tracks allow Horses and Horsemen to shelter in place during this crisis.

Efforts are being made in all available avenues to secure this stabling.

The Gentilly office is open for our normal business hours of Monday through Friday 8AM to 4PM. In order to do our part in limiting social spread of this coronavirus (COVID -19), we ask our members to please conduct as much activity by phone with our Gentilly office, bookkeeper track offices and our field offices as possible. If you are visiting the Gentilly office, please call (504-945-1555) when you arrive and we will come out to the parking lot to assist you.

Thank you

The Louisiana HBPA has a Horsemen’s Bookkeeper position opening in Vinton.

This seasonal position will be for the Delta Downs 2020 Quarter Horse Meet and 2020 Thoroughbred Meet. The schedule will require working each live race day including weekends and holidays.

Duties will include assisting members with deposits and withdrawals, preparing bank deposits, and processing purse payments.

Computer skills required.

All interested candidates should forward a resume, by close of business on Friday March 20, 2020, to Larry Hamburger either by fax 504-910-9327 or e-mail lhamburger@lahbpa.org. For more information call the LAHBPA office at 504-945-1555.