Downer Downs

You are no doubt toying with the idea of a weekend trip to Louisiana Downs, the brand spanking new race track in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. You should know a few things first:

● The track is unfinished and not particularly attractive. The infieldportion is still mostly red mud, and there is no landscaping to speak of.But the horses are definitely running,and the money is definitely moving.Betting was running at half-a-milliona day the weekend we were there.

● Once you leave the track, do notexpect any “mini-New Orleans” at-mosphere in Shreveport. The city isclearly not ready for the onslaught of tourists the track is bringing. Decent nightlife is minimal. Shreve Square,billed as Shreveport’s answer to New Orleans’ French Quarter, is okay, but nothing special. The infamous “Bossier Strip,” the scene of many a first teenage drunk, has gone to hell, and now is a series of tacky strip-and-clipjoints, Industrial Boulevard-style.

● If you go on a weekend, remember that Louisiana prohibits the sale of alcohol on Sundays. The whole town shuts down at midnight Saturday and stays that way until Monday. It is terrifying. So if you want to make it a three-day weekend, use Friday instead of Monday.

● The track has revised its “everyday” racing schedule. Better callahead to check which days the horsesare running.

● The track is having financialproblems (the crowds were prettysmall the days we were there), so ifyou’re planning a trip, better go in ahurry. The racing runs through January 26.

All in all, not up to expectation. Still, laying down a two dollar bet on “Amazing Grace” to win still beats watching Calvin Hill dive over from the one.