Louis A. Cella (November 29, 1866 – April 29, 1918) was an American capitalist, turfman, and plutocratic political financier.

founded the Western Turf Association, which granted Cella and his partners near monopolistic control over jockeys, bookmakers, and horse owners in the Midwest.

[1] Cella made a fortune in real estate, commodities speculation, stock commissions, and horse racing.

[1] In 1905, gambling was abolished in Missouri after passage of the Anti-Breeders Act, and the partnership's tracks were legally forced to cease operations.

[5] In 1910, Cella was arrested by federal marshals and extradited to Washington D.C. in the Western Union bucket shop scandal.

[7] In 1911, Cella and his investment partners were acquitted of all charges, after the Anti-Bucket Shop Act was declared unconstitutional.

[5] After losing, Cella began financing a range of state politicians, becoming a key political power in the advancement of various moneyed interests.

His father and mother were Italians from Bertigaro and Montemozzo villages, hinterland of Chiavari, city of a Northern Italy Liguria region, at that time part of the Sardinia Kingdom.

[1] Cella entered the horse racing industry in 1896, joining the partnership of Andrew Tilles and Samuel Adler.

[4] It was Cella's idea to also build a large pool house, alongside the race track that ran for eight years.