Louisiana Downs Opens With Record Purses

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Record purses and a new distance for the Super Derby (gr. II) highlight the 28th season of racing at Louisiana Downs, which opens Friday, June 28. The 2002 season will offer 80 days of racing on a Thursday-Sunday schedule with the exception of a special Monday racing program on Labor Day.

The track will feature $200,000 average daily purse structure for the summer meet, which runs through Sept. 22, representing an increase of 56% over the 2001 season and the largest daily purse average in the track history.

The traditional highlight of the season will be the $500,000 Super Derby for 3-year-olds, which will be run at the distance of 1 1/8 miles for the first time this year. Super Derby Saturday is Sept. 21. Other fixtures on the stakes schedule include the Independence Breeders' Cup Handicap on July 4, the River Cities Breeders' Cup on Sept. 7, the Marie P. DeBartolo Oaks Handicap on Sept. 21, and the Louisiana Downs Handicap on Sept. 22.

First post time on weekends and holidays during the meet will be 1:45 p.m. First post on weekdays will be 3 p.m.

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