Fair Grounds Race Course is a thoroughbred racetrack in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Thoroughbred is a horse breed developed in 18th century England when English mares were bred with imported Arabian stallions to create a distance racer. ... New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... State nickname: Pelican State Other U.S. States Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) Senators Mary Landrieu (D) David Vitter (R) Official language(s) None; English and French de facto Area 134,382 km² (31st)  - Land 112,927 km²  - Water 21,455 km² (16%) Population...

History

The track was initially opened as Union Race Course in 1852. The track closes in 1857, due to competition from the Metairie Course. In 1859 the track was renamed Creole Race Course. In 1863 the Creole Race Course is renamed the Fair Grounds and racing is conducted during the Civil War. A civil war is a war in which the competing parties are segments of the same country or empire. ...

The track then closes as the Metairie Course reopens after the war. In 1871 younger member of the Metairie Jockey Club break away to form the Louisiana Jockey Club and begins holding meets at Fair Grounds. In 1872 the first racing is held at Fair Grounds under the auspices of the Louisiana Jockey Club.

In 1907, Colonel Matt Winn arrives in New Orleans to establish racing dates and deal with other matters in the Louisiana horse industry. In 1908, racing was banned in New Orleans. In 1915, racing returned. In 1919 a fire burned down the grandstand yet the track is still able to conduct a race meeting. New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... State nickname: Pelican State Other U.S. States Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) Senators Mary Landrieu (D) David Vitter (R) Official language(s) None; English and French de facto Area 134,382 km² (31st)  - Land 112,927 km²  - Water 21,455 km² (16%) Population...

In 1940, legislative sanction was given to racing in Louisiana.The track was then sold to developers for construction of a subdivision. In 1941, a group of investors saved Fair Grounds from destruction. The track resumed racing after World War Two. State nickname: Pelican State Other U.S. States Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) Senators Mary Landrieu (D) David Vitter (R) Official language(s) None; English and French de facto Area 134,382 km² (31st)  - Land 112,927 km²  - Water 21,455 km² (16%) Population...

In 1981 the turf course was installed. In 1990 the track was sold to the Krantz family. A new construction project began in 1994 to renovate the grandstand and the clubhouse. The track was purchased by Churchill Downs Incorporated. The track was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina and is under construction this time with slot machines. The track is conducting a 37-day meet at Louisiana Downs in replacement of the scheduled 2005-2006 meet Composite image of Churchill Downs on Derby Day, 1901 Churchill Downs, located on Central Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, is a thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby. ...

Physical Attributes

The track consists of a one mile dirt track and a seven furlong turf oval. The track will be rebuilt with slot machines inside a renovated clubhouse and grandstand.

Racing

In a normal year the following graded stakes would be run at Fair Grounds:

• Grade 2 FAIR GROUNDS OAKS
• Grade 2 LOUISIANA DERBY
• Grade 2 MERVIN HANDICAP MUNIZ JR. MEMORIAL HANDICAP
• Grade 2 NEW ORLEANS HANDICAP
• Grade 3 BAYOU BREEDERS' CUP HANDICAP
• Grade 3 LECOMTE STAKES
• Grade 3 RISEN STAR STAKES
• Grade 3 SILVERBULLETDAY STAKES
• Grade 3 WHIRLAWAY HANDICAP