The 2022 Quarter Horse racing season at Louisiana Downs began on January 10 and attracted strong interest from horsemen in the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG3).
Nominations for the first “official” futurity of the year topped previous numbers with Bruce Salard, executive director of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) sharing that a record 223 payments had been received. Based on that level of interest, it was clear that trials for the 300-yard championship could not be completed in one day.
On Friday, January 28, the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) approved a request from David Heitzmann, director of racing for the Bossier City racetrack, to amend its schedule. Approval was granted for the following changes:
- Trials for the Mardi Gras Futurity will now take place on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. The draw will take place on Saturday, February 26
- Closing day of the 2022 live racing season will be on Wednesday, April 6, instead of Thursday, April 8
“We appreciate the efficiency of the LSRC in approving the change in our schedule so that we can safely run all the trials for the Mardi Gras Futurity,” said Heitzmann. “Last year's purse was $349,946, but with such strong interest by horsemen, the ten finalists will run for a record purse on March 27.”
Louisiana Downs will also present the 15th running of the $50,000-added Mardi Gras Derby on Sunday, March 27 with trials set for Monday, March 7. Trials for the $75,000-added Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3) will be run on Sunday, March 13 with the top ten qualifiers advancing to the final on Sunday, April 3. Schooling races will be offered On February 12 and 19 for 2-year-olds paid into the Mardi Gras Futurity as well as the Louisiana Downs Futurity.
Live Quarter Horse racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through March 2. Beginning Sunday, March 6, the schedule changes to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. One Thursday race card will be added on March 31. Post time will be 1:00 p.m. (Central), except for Mardi Gras trial dates, which will begin at 11:00 am.
Dates have also been approved for the 2022 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred live racing season. The 84-day meet will begin on Saturday, May 7 and conclude on Tuesday, September 27.
Louisiana Downs 2022 Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule
Revised as of January 28
March 27 $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) 2 YO LA-Bred 300 yards
$50,000-added Mardi Gras Derby 3 YO LA-Bred 400 yards
April 3 $75,000-added Louisiana Downs Futurity(G3) 2 YO 300 yards
2022 Quarter Horse Trial Dates
March 5 and March 6 Mardi Gras Futurity
March 7 Mardi Gras Derby
March 13 Louisiana Downs Futurity
2022 Schooling Race Dates
February 12 Mardi Gras Futurity
February 19 Louisiana Downs Futurity
The post Louisiana Downs Announces Changes To 2022 Quarter Horse Schedule appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
