When the 2020 Thoroughbred racing season got underway on June 6 at Harrah's Louisiana Downs, there were several new horsemen stabled at the Shreveport racetrack. The most successful of the group has been trainer Shane Wilson.
It is the first time in eight years that the Haughton, La. native has shifted his base to Shreveport. There was no hesitation when he was asked about returning for the meet.
“We were all in limbo several months ago,” said Wilson describing the impact of COVID-19 on the resumption of racing in Louisiana. “However (Director of Racing) David Heitzmann was the first to step up with a plan. We knew the early May date was not possible, but David set June 6 as the opening date at Louisiana Downs and quickly got the condition book posted.”
From that point, Wilson set his training schedule and “was ready to roll”.
“The main track is amazing,” said Wilson. “We arrived with some sore horses and they are now sound. Billy does an outstanding job.”
So far, it has worked out well for Wilson and his main owner, Wayne T. Davis. They are in second-place in the trainer and owner standings, trailing Karl Broberg and End Zone Athletics, Inc.
Wilson, 49, worked summers at Harrah's Louisiana Downs, starting when he was 15. He mucked stalls and hot walked for trainer Jack Van Berg. His brief foray to college did not last as he realized that he wanted to pursue a career in racing. He served as assistant to Sam David for seven years before going out on his own in 1998.
His top horse is the multiple-stakes winning Mocito Rojo, a 6-year-old son of Mutadda. Wilson claimed the Kentucky-bred for owner Wayne T. Davis for $10,000 in a December 2016 maiden race at Delta Downs. The six-time stakes winner has amassed a record of 17 wins from 30 starts and earnings of $818,063. In 2019, Mocito Rojo won the Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park and the Lukas Classic Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. He returned to the Grand Prairie, Texas racetrack on Sunday, June 28, finishing fifth in the $75,000 Lone Star Mile.
“He never likes dirt in his face and came back covered by a half of an inch of sand,” said Wilson. “It would have been nice to win as it was my owner's 91st birthday, but the horse cooled out fine and we made it back to Louisiana Downs late Sunday night.”
Davis, who resides in Plain Dealing, La., a small town in Bossier Parrish, is appreciative of the care Wilson gives each of his horses. His winners this meet at Harrah's Louisiana Downs include Green Monster; Cap Roc Miner, Artic Peace, Lucky Dare and most recently, a five-length score by Luvmewhenimgone.
Another key member of the Wilson team is veteran jockey Filimon Rodriguez, who is a full-time employee. The 53-year-old has ridden on the Texas and Louisiana circuits for three decades. He gallops the 30 head of Wilson's stabled at Louisiana Downs and rides the majority of the Wilson trainees in Shreveport.
Aside from his racing ties, Wilson has another notable connection to Harrah's Louisiana Downs. He met his wife, Becky, the daughter of horseman Jim O'Brien, here. The couple has two sons. Peyton is 19 years-old and his brother, Connor, 16, have both been helping their dad this summer.
“It's a tough business,” stated Wilson. “You have to make some very difficult decisions. I started the same time as some very successful horsemen, including my good friend, Bret Calhoun. To reach a really high level, you have to travel, and I chose to stay in Louisiana to be closer to my family.”
He will ship select horses to Evangeline Downs this summer but is more than content to be stabled at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.
“They showed their commitment to the horsemen,” he said. “So, I am happy to run here and support their meet.”
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