A year after the ongoing pandemic delayed the traditional start date of the Louisiana Downs meet, the Bossier City, La., track announced Monday that this season will open as scheduled on May 1. The 84-date meet extends to Sept. 22. 

The Super Derby, which was canceled last year, will not be run in 2021, according to the press release. The track will release its stakes schedule at a later date.  

Louisiana Downs closed out its Quarter Horse meet April 7.  

“Our Quarter Horse meet recently wrapped up and we are happy to return to our previous Thoroughbred schedule, which was delayed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” David Heitzmann, director of racing for Louisiana Downs, said in a press release. “We look forward to welcoming our Thoroughbred trainers for a successful racing season.”

The stable area is now open for Thoroughbreds. 

Louisiana Downs will race on a Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday basis, with a first post of 2:45 pm Central. There also will be a special Sunday card on July 4.