The Louisiana Racing Commission on Tuesday voted 11-0 to approve a request by Louisiana Downs in Bossier City to modify its live racing schedule for a potential June 6 opening, provided the track gets an all-clear from state government. Meeting telephonically, the commission conducted the vote to clear a path for the re-opening of the track, which has not held live races this year, should Louisiana officials decide racing can be conducted at that time. Over the past week, several tracks in the United States have been given approval by state officials to begin racing later this month, but those approvals are conditioned on the maintenance of proper health protocols and a ban on spectators and all other nonessential personnel. Louisiana Downs was scheduled to begin its 2020 meet on May 2, but that date was pushed back indefinitely after Fair Grounds in New Orleans was closed in late March with several live racing dates left on its calendar due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Last year, Louisiana Downs received approval to run 84 race dates in 2020. If the meet starts on June 6, Louisiana Downs will run 64 dates this year, though Sept. 23. As part of the motion to modify the racing dates, the commission also approved the track’s plan to scrap the Sept. 12 Super Derby, a race that may have trouble luring horses due to the rescheduling of the Kentucky Derby for Sept. 5. In addition, the casinos that provide subsidies to purses at Louisiana tracks have been shuttered indefinitely, leading to concerns about the maintenance of purse levels. Last year, the Super Derby had a purse of $300,000. Fair Grounds has continued to allow horses to train, but many of the horses based there shipped to Oaklawn Park after the meet closed. In addition, Churchill Downs is providing a three-day window for shippers from Fair Grounds to enter its stable area next week, in advance of the track holding live racing beginning May 16. Both Churchill and Fair Grounds are owned and operated by Churchill Downs Inc. Horses also continue to be stabled in the state at Delta Downs and Louisiana Downs.