The Louisiana Racing Commisison had an emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon to hear a request by the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association concerning 400 to 500 horses left without a facility at which to train due to the damage Hurricane Laura inflicted on Delta Downs.

Delta has postponed its upcoming Thoroughbred meet after damage from Hurricane Laura. It's sister track, Evangeline Downs, which ended its Thoroughbred meet last Saturday, is soon set to open a meet for Quarter Horses. The situation has impacted a number of horses and horsemen that had planned to set up shop at Delta. 

The Louisiana HBPA told commissioners a move to Fair Grounds would accommodate horses, and also shelter racing stable employees for a temporary period of time. 

An attorney representing Fair Grounds told commissioners there has not been enough time to dicusss the situation with his client and that one concern is that it is hurricane season and housing horses and staff in New Orleans at this time could pose risks to them as the track has been monitorning other storms in the Caribbean. 

The attorney also said there are environmental concerns as there are strict rules governing Fair Grounds beacause it is located in a residential area. He said any plans would have to be cleared through the mayor. The attorney also said the track is not ready, as renovation of the surface is scheduled to begin Sept. 7.  

"We're not ready from a property standpoint to take this on," he said. 

The meeting lasted about and hour, and the move was made to reconvene at 5 p.m. Central on Thursday. 

The agenda included dates requests. Fair Grounds has asked for an 80-date Thoroughbred meet opening Nov. 26 and running through March 28. Evangeline has requested an 84-date meet for Thoroughbreds next year, from April 7-Aug. 28. Louisiana Downs requested an 84-date Thoroughbred meet for next year, from May 1-Sept. 22. 

Louisiana Downs also requested a 46-date Quarter Horse meet for 2021, from Jan. 9-March 24. Delta requested a 46-date Quarter Horse meet for next year, from April 16-July 3.