Fair Grounds Race Course
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Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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[edit] History
The track was initially opened as the "Union Race Course" in 1852. The track closed in 1857 due to competition from the Metairie Course. In 1859 the track was renamed the "Creole Race Course." In 1863, the name was changed again to the "Fair Grounds" and racing was conducted during the Civil War.
The track then closed when the Metairie Course reopened after the war. In 1871, the younger members of the Metairie Jockey Club broke away to form the Louisiana Jockey Club and begin holding meets at the Fair Grounds. In 1872 the first race card is held at the Fair Grounds under the auspices of the Louisiana Jockey Club.
In 1907, Colonel Matt Winn arrived 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 but returned in 1915. In 1919 a fire burned down the grandstand but the track was still able to conduct a race meeting.
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 II.
In 1981 a 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. Fair Grounds was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina, and was closed for over a year, until re-opening on Thanksgiving Day 2006. The track conducted a 37-day meet at Louisiana Downs in replacement of the scheduled 2005-2006 meet.
Both the great race mare Pan Zareta and the winner of the 1924 Kentucky Derby, Black Gold are buried in the infield.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Racing
In a normal year the following graded stakes would be run at Fair Grounds, the most important of which is the Louisiana Derby, a Grade II stakes prep for the Kentucky Derby.
- Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks
- Grade II Louisiana Derby
- Grade II Mervin Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap
- Grade II New Orleans Handicap
- Grade III Bayou Breeders' Cup Handicap
- Grade III Lecomte Stakes
- Grade III Risen Star Stakes
- Grade III Silverbulletday Stakes
- Grade III Whirlaway Handicap
Also on the card are several important ungraded races:
- The Pan Zareta Handicap
- The Sugar Bowl Stakes
- The Black Gold Stakes
[edit] Other events
The Fair Grounds is also the location of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival early each summer.
