Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., on Monday announced purses would be increased starting Saturday and the Louisiana Cup Day program of stakes would be held in September. 

Louisiana Downs is increasing overnight purses $1,500 a race. The Louisiana Cup, which was not scheduled to be run this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be held Sept. 19. The track will put on six divisional stakes worth $40,000 each. The meet runs through Sept. 23.  

“We thank our local horsemen for their support since the live racing season began on June 6,” David Heitzmann, director of racing and racing secretary for Louisiana Downs, said in a release. “This has been a very challenging year due to COVID-19, so we are pleased to reward these hard working men and women with a purse increase of $1,500 across the board.” 

The Louisiana Cup Day was brought back with the help of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the Louisiana HBPA.  

“We are grateful to LTBA for allocating the funds so we can run Louisiana Cup Day once again this year,” said Heitzmann. “This is a very important day for our breeders, horsemen, and of course, the fans at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.”

 More to come at www.drf.com