Fair Grounds Horse Racing

Fair Grounds Racing

Address: 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119, United States

The Fair Grounds is located in historic Mid-City and has been a New Orleans staple since 1842. It is often referred to as New Orleans Fair Grounds and is ranked #12, behind Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana, which was ranked #6. The racetrack is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC.

Fair Grounds is the home of the Louisiana Derby, a Grade II stakes prep for the Kentucky Derby. The Louisiana Derby carries a $1 million purse which was the first seven-figure race to ever run in New Orleans. Jockey, Rosie Napravnik, become the first woman to win the leading jockey title at Fair Grounds with 110 wins, including the Louisiana Derby aboard Pants On Fire.

Fair Grounds is the 3rd oldest thoroughbred racetrack in the United States, behind Saratoga and Pimlico. The track was initially opened as the "Union Race Course" in 1852 and only 7 years later, in 1859, the track was renamed the "Creole Race Course." In 1863, the name was changed back again to the "Fair Grounds" and racing continued even during the Civil War. In 1981 a turf course was installed.

Fair Grounds Race Course Information:

Live Racing: Wednesday through Sunday
Race Dates: November to April
Notable Races:Louisiana Derby (G2), New Orleans Handicap (G2), Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Mml Handicap (G2), Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)
Main Track: 1 mile
Turf Course: 7 Furlongs, oval

Stakes Races at Fair Grounds Race Course

Grade II:
Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap
New Orleans Handicap
Fair Grounds Oaks
Louisiana Derby

Grade III:
Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap
Lecomte Stakes
Fair Grounds Handicap
Mineshaft Handicap
Rachel Alexandra Stakes
Risen Star Stakes