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Steve Asmussen Giving Jockey Joel Dominguez A Leg Up At Louisiana Downs

It's hard to find a bigger story these days than the impending record-breaking feat of Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, who is poised to surpass Dale Baird's record of 9,445 career wins.

Racing fans know Asmussen's tremendous accomplishments at all the major events in North America and beyond, but he has also made a lasting impact at smaller racetracks, and in boosting the careers of young jockeys.

Such is the case of Joel Dominguez, who is currently riding first call for Asmussen at Louisiana Downs.

Now in his fifth year at the Bossier City racetrack, Dominguez earned his first leading rider title last year at Louisiana Downs and currently tops the rider standings in the 2021 Thoroughbred meet. The 30-year-old native of Durango, Mexico galloped for Asmussen in Kentucky when he first came to the United States.

“When I was in Kentucky, I worked for Steve and he began to trust me galloping some of his top horses,” said Dominguez. “I remember the first time I worked Rachel Alexandra. That was very special and gave me so much confidence!”

Riding for Asmussen, who was both leading trainer and owner last year at Louisiana Downs, has been a privilege for Dominguez. He appreciates the quality of the horses' pedigrees and Asmussen's consummate preparation for each start.

“They are all well-trained,” he explained. “Steve has a mind like a computer; he is really smart and knows each horse. I have learned so much from him!”

While veterans Mike Smith, Stewart Elliott, Jose Ortiz, Joel Rosario and Ricardo Santana, Jr., are in the winner's circle for the heralded graded stakes victories, Asmussen has played a pivotal role in developing the careers of up and coming Thoroughbred jockeys.

With between one and three Asmussen runners entered daily at Louisiana Downs, Dominguez certainly hopes he will ride the tying or even better, the mount who surpasses Dale Baird's record.

“I would really like to do that,” acknowledged Dominguez. “But even if it does not happen here, it means so much that he has chosen me to ride for him. I am excited for Steve and really proud to be part of his team.”

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Live Racing Returns To Louisiana Downs On Kentucky Derby Day

The 2021 Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs commences on Saturday, May 1. Opening day will include seven live races beginning at 2:45 pm (Central) and the simulcast of the 147th Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.

Louisiana Downs will honor its local heroes on Saturday with Bossier City First Responders/Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Presentations will be made to several groups who have served and protected the Bossier City/Shreveport Metroplex throughout the year. In addition to enjoying live racing and the entire card from Churchill Downs, fans can enjoy the day from the suite level or on trackside apron with culinary delights from the most popular food trucks in Shreveport-Bossier City.

“We are pleased with the support of our horsemen and horseplayers and look forward to a very competitive 2021 live racing season,” said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing.

Jockey Joel Dominguez captured the first leading rider title of his career last September at Louisiana Downs. The native of Durango, Mexico began in 2017 as an apprentice, and has progressed solidly over the last five years. Dominguez completed the 2020 Louisiana Downs meet with a record of 71 wins, 59 seconds, 50 thirds and $903,325 in purses.

Last year, he rode first call for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, for whom he galloped in Kentucky when he first came to the United States.

“To ride for Steve has given me a great deal of confidence,” explained Dominguez. “I am grateful for his support and that of other trainers, including Eduardo Ramirez, Keith Bourgeois and Ronnie Ward, who have faith in me.”

Dominguez, 31, just wrapped up a successful meet at Delta Downs, finishing third in the standings (to Tim Thornton) with 64 wins and purses of $1.5 million.

“I try to do my best on each horse,” he said. “But I cannot take all the credit. It all begins in the barn with so many people involved in preparing horses for the races.”

Dominguez' agent is former jockey, Don Simington who will also represent Sebastian Saez, 22, younger brother of top nationally acclaimed jockey Luis Saez.

To repeat as leading rider is a goal for Dominguez, but he is humble in what it will take.

“I know there are things I need to improve,” he stated. “I watch replays and appreciate the trainers that give me good pointers. Giving 100% on each horse I ride is what I try to do.”

Dominguez extended his gratitude to his wife Janet, and sons, Andy and Joel Jr. for understanding the long hours and hard work that his profession demands.

“I watch my sons playing soccer; but no baseball or basketball on TV,” he said. “To win the title at Louisiana Downs once again is very important to me and I will work hard for it!”

One other very interesting jockey note is the return of John Jacinto, who will pilot Homeview for trainer Larry Taylor in Saturday's seventh race. Born in Lima, Peru, Jacinto came to the United States in 1999, making his debut at Calder Race Course. He had success in Texas and at Louisiana Downs and Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Jacinto earned several leading rider titles and had won 1,936 races, including a Grade 1 victory aboard Dawn of War.

In May, 2016, he was injured in a racing spill, suffering a Distal Humerus fracture in his left arm with several setbacks and infections. An additional surgery in January of 2020 was successful and by June of last year, the bone had regenerated, and he finally was fully healed. Jacinto opened his own landscaping company, but still had the desire to return to the saddle. In February he began working horses at Louisiana Downs.

“I had to lose some weight because I got kind of chunky,” said Jacinto. “Now I am back in shape and excited about riding in my first race for my good friend (and former jockey) Larry Taylor. I am going to start slowly; just one or two mounts a day. Before my last surgery, I thought I was done; now I am ready to take one more chance!”

Steve Asmussen, who topped his fellow conditioners last season with 41 wins, looks to be a force once again this meet. Karl Broberg, Joey Foster, Shane Wilson, H. B. Johnson, Ronnie Ward, Philip Dison, Judy Beavin, Alfonso Balderas and H. B. Johnson all return with runners on the opening day card.

Broberg was the leading conditioner at the recently concluded 2021 live racing season at Delta Downs, finishing with a whopping 91 victories over Scott Gelner (30); Juan Larrosa (29) and Isai Gonzalez (28).

Live racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday with a 2:45 p.m. (Central) post time from May 1 -May 29. Beginning Sunday, May 30, the schedule will shift to Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until the conclusion of the 2021 live season on Tuesday, September 21. For more information on the 84-day racing season and special events, visit https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-louisiana-downs/racing.

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Boldor Rallies From Last To Capture Monday’s Sam’s Town Stakes

Delta Downs hosted the $60,000 Sam's Town Stakes on Monday afternoon and it was the Steve Asmussen trainee Boldor who proved best in the five-furlong affair for sprinters. Boldor used a last-to-first move in the homestretch under jockey Joel Dominguez to snare the win.

Breaking from post six in a field of eight, Boldor let the speed develop up front as Firecrow, Secular Nation and Shangroyal battled for the lead while setting fractional times of 22.05 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 45.44 for the half. As the field turned for home it was 59-1 longshot Shangroyal who forged a narrow lead and appeared to be home free, but that's when Boldor kicked it into high gear and mowed down his rivals, reaching the finish line ¾ of a length to the good of Secular Nation who finished second, and Shangroyal who faded to third, another neck behind the top pair.

Boldor, who is owned by Ed Orr and Susie Orr, covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 58.26 seconds.

The win by Boldor marked the fourth of his 13-race career. He earned $36,000 for the effort and now has a career bankroll of $245,197.

Bred in Virginia by Carlos S. E. Moore & Gillian Gordon-Moore, Boldor is a 5-year-old bay horse by Munnings, out of the Siphon mare Senate Caucus.

Sent to the gate at odds of 7-1, Boldor paid $16.20 to win, $7.60 to place and $6.20 to show. Secular Nation was worth $9.40 to place and $6.40 to show. Shangroyal returned $19.20 to show.

Delta Downs continues its race week on Tuesday with another nine-race program starting at 12:55 pm. The featured race is the $60,000 Orleans Stakes going as the eight event on the card.

For more information about the current season visit the track's website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about the track through Facebook by visiting the page 'Delta Downs Racing'. The track's Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

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Asmussen Claims Trainer, Owner Title At Harrah’s Lousiana Downs; Joel Dominguez Leading Rider

The 2020 Thoroughbred racing season at Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., which got underway one month late due to COVID-19, wrapped up on Saturday, Sept. 26. Eleven races were contested Saturday: three from Tuesday, Sept. 22 and eight races from the Wednesday, Sept. 23 card which were canceled due to heavy rain from Tropical Storm Beta.

Steve Asmussen Wins Both Leading Trainer and Owner Titles
It's been quite a summer for Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, who claimed both leading trainer and owner of the meet titles.

As a trainer, Asmussen started 124 runners, winning 41 races and adding 22 seconds and 23 thirds. He sent a combination of maidens, claimers and allowance entrants, doing well on both the main track and Franks Turf Course. Rue Lala, owned by William and Corinne Heiligbrodt in partnership with Spendthrift Farm LLC, broke her maiden here impressively on Sept. 5 and wheeled back in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies, finishing a game second to multiple stakes winner Mirabeau.

“She is a very nice Louisiana-bred,” said Asmussen. “The Heiligbrodts were one of my first owners and their support means a great deal to me.”

Asmussen credited the racing officials at Louisiana Downs as well as the track surfaces.

“Louisiana Downs stepped up when other tracks were trying to figure out when they might be able to open,” stated Asmussen. “They have excellent track surfaces, which is one of the reasons we support Louisiana Downs and are proud of this accomplishment.”

For the second year in a row, Karl Broberg, finished second with 38 wins. However, Broberg did edge Asmussen in purses with his runners banking $448,275 over $423,440 earned by Asmussen's string. Shane Wilson who had not stabled at Louisiana Downs for the past eight years, won 32 races and 2019 leading conditioner Joey Foster rounded out the top four, saddling 24 winners.

Asmussen was able to top his fellow owners with 19 wins from 52 starts. His horses won 37% of their starts with earnings of $147,835.

Wayne T. Davis finished second in the owner standings with 17 wins. His horses earned $188,405 and are conditioned by Shane Wilson. End Zone Athletics, Inc. won 16 of their 75 starts with Tri-Star Racing LLC and M and M Racing finishing in a tie for fourth with nine victories each.

September has been not only successful, but historical for Asmussen as on Friday, Sept. 17, he won his 9,000th career victory with Troy Ounce at Remington Park. He is now second to Dale Baird, who holds the North American record for training wins with 9,445. Over the summer, Asmussen has won races at Saratoga, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, Lone Star Park, Remington Park and Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

“I believe I won one previous title at Louisiana Downs, but it might have been a year that the Fair Grounds meet was run in Shreveport,” he said.

Asmussen credits assistants Mitch Dennison, who coordinated the Louisiana Downs entries and other duties from his Kentucky base and Misty Drinkwater, who is in her second year of handling the day-to-day duties at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

“Misty deserves a great deal of credit,” added Asmussen. “She is extremely organized and does a fabulous job with our Louisiana runners.”

Joel Dominguez Wins His First Leading Rider Title
Jockey Joel Dominguez has made the most of his four-year tenure at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

The 30-year-old native of Durango, Mexico, began in 2017 as an apprentice, winning 31 races that year and returning in 2018, losing his bug, but finishing third in the standings as he transitioned to the journeyman ranks. He improved to second last year, but powered to the lead early in the 2020 meet and built an unsurpassable lead over his fellow riders. Dominguez completed the meet with a record of 71 wins, 59 seconds, 50 thirds and $903,325 in purses.

He rode first call for Steve Asmussen this season, who he galloped for in Kentucky when he first came to the United States. His highlights this meet included winning four races on the July 25 card, which included three wins for Asmussen and one for trainer James “Sweet” Hodges.
On Saturday, Sept. 19, Dominguez won two of the six Louisiana Cup Stakes, coming from off the pace aboard Budro Talking for Keith Austin in the Turf Classic and finishing the card with an upset aboard Saltee Stark from the barn of Joe O. Duhon in the Louisiana Cup Sprint.

“I want to thank Steve and all the trainers who put me on mounts,” said Dominguez. “When I was in Kentucky, I worked for Steve and trainer Neil Howard. Steve began to trust me galloping some of his top horses; I remember the first time I worked Rachel Alexandra. That was very special and gave me so much confidence! Neil helped me get my license and we still stay in touch.”

Dominguez paid his dues in Kentucky and his work ethic is applauded by Asmussen.

“Joel is an excellent horseman and has turned into a great jockey,” he said.

Dominguez' agent is former jockey, Don Simington and the two have a strong bond.

“Don gives me great advice and feedback,” explained Dominguez. “I admire that he is the first one to arrive in the morning and the last to leave. Trainers know him well and he works hard to book me on good horses.”

Dominguez extended his gratitude to his wife Janet, and sons, Andy and Joel Jr. and expressed his thanks to others.

“I also want to thank the Louisiana Downs racing office staff for their hard work as well as my valet Oscar Lara,” added Dominguez. “Mitch and Misty have been great to work with and I appreciate the hard work of all the grooms, hot walkers and exercise riders. I would not have won this title without so many people helping me!”

Last year's top jockey Carlos Lozada finished with 40 wins, tying for second in the standings with Jose Andres Guerrero. Next was Jack Gilligan with 37 victories and Gerardo Mora, who won 35 races.

Dominguez will ride next at Delta Downs when their 2020-2021 Thoroughbred season gets underway.

“We thank each of our horsemen for their support since the live racing season began on June 6,” said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. “This has been a very challenging year due to COVID-19 and a very volatile Hurricane season which has impacted so many people in our state. We look forward to a much better 2021 for our racing industry.”

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