Fair Grounds In New Orleans - A U.s. Racing Landmark

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
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Down in Cajun country sits one of the most historical racetracks in all of North America. Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans traces its roots back to 1852, which makes it the oldest operating site of Thoroughbred racing in the United States.

Fair Grounds Race Course opened its annual winter meet on Thanksgiving Day. The traditional holiday opening has made Fair Grounds a popular Thanksgiving destination of New Orleans' residents for generations.

This year's meet is the 140th under the Fair Grounds banner. That makes it the third-oldest meet in the United States behind Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York and Pimlico Race Course in Maryland.

Prior to being called Fair Grounds, the track was opened under the name Union Race Course in 1852. It was then called Creole Race Course for a few years before turning into Fair Grounds in 1863.

During its long history, Fair Grounds has seen its share of disaster. First, the decades-old grandstand was completely destroyed by a major fire in 1993. After years of racing at a temporary facility, Fair Grounds re-opened to the public on Thanksgiving Day 1997.

Then ...
... in 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to the facility that forced Fair Grounds to hold its meet at nearby Louisiana Downs. The track re-opened on Thanksgiving 2006.

Fair Grounds hosts many top races and in recent years has become an increasingly popular winter residence for potential Kentucky Derby contenders. The track's 3-year-old program consists of the Risen Star Stakes, Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.

There have been two winner of the Louisiana Derby that have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby. Black Gold pulled off the double in 1924 and Grindstone matched the feat in 1996.

Black Gold was such a popular horse in New Orleans that he was buried in the Fair Grounds infield. Also so honored is the one-of-a-kind racemare Pan Zareta (foal of 1910), who during her career raced at 24 different tracks throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada while compiling a remarkable record of 76 wins from 151 races.

Unlike some tracks where a few big trainers dominate proceedings, the racing at Fair Grounds is almost always competitive, which makes it popular for bettors. There is a deep roster of trainers that send strings down to winter in New Orleans. They include Eclipse Award winner Steve Asmussen, Al Stall, Tom Amoss, Michael Stidham and Larry Jones.

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