In the session that began March 10, the Louisiana House of Representatives filed three bills dealing that have drawn opposition from the state Thoroughbred Breeders Association. LTBA officials said, “We believe that these proposed bills need our immediate attention and must be defeated. It is estimated that the fiscal impact the Louisiana horse industry has on the state’s economy is over 2 billion dollars. Taking monies away and changing programs only dilutes the program. Louisiana is ranked near the top of the breeding industry. Please contact your representative and Senator and ask them to not jeopardize the success the Thoroughbred industry is currently having and to keep the current legislation in place.”
House Bill 550, introduced by state Rep. Henry Burns, would lower the number of race days at Louisiana Downs from a minimum of 80 days to 30 days. The bill also would reduce net slot machine awards to purses from the current 15 percent to 8 percent, and from 3 percent to 1 percent for breeders’ awards. In addition, the measure would eliminate Quarter Horse racing and breeders’ awards proceeds at Louisiana Downs.
House Bill 493, introduced by state Rep. Joe Harrison, would redirect proceeds from slot machines, video poker and other games to the Bet on Louisiana’s Future Fund. The move would end proceeds to purses at the track or breeders’ awards.
House Bill 714, also introduced by Harrison, is similar to HB 493. However, it directs how monies would be divided and would end the video poker purse fund, purse supplements and payments to the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
Also in Louisiana, L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge recently was awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond hotel rating. Only five percent of the 29,000-plus,AAA-approved properties achieve Four Diamond status. L’Auberge Vice President and General Manager Mickey Parenton said, “We’ve built a high quality hotel with an environment that is elegant yet approachable, focused on extraordinary service and personalized amenities to make our guests’ stay with us feel like home. We’re proud to welcome visitors from all over the country to Baton Rouge and honored to receive this prestigious award from AAA.”
Owned by Pinnacle Entertainment and opened in September 2012, L’Auberge offers 205 luxurious hotel rooms, including 30 luxurious suites. Standard rooms feature LED televisions, iPod docking stations, robes, slippers and artwork by Louisiana artists. Suites include oversized tubs, spa showers, large plasma televisions and full wet bars. The property also has Baton Rouge’s only rooftop pool with private cabanas available for reservation, plus poolside service and a full service bar. Additional hotel amenities include a fitness center, full service in-room dining and valet parking.
Besides L’Auberge Baton Rouge, Pinnacle Entertainment operates three other AAA Four Diamond hotels: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Blackhawk, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs.
