1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 www.fairgroundsracecourse.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Mulvihill, Communications and Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager, 504.948.1233, james.mulvihill@fgno.com
FAIR GROUNDS OAKS PREP NAMED RACHEL ALEXANDRA
NEW ORLEANS (Tuesday, September 28, 2010) – Upon news of Rachel Alexandra’s retirement, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots announced today that the final prep race for the Fair Grounds Oaks will be named the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in honor of the 2009 Fair Grounds Oaks winner.
“Rachel graced us with one of the most impressive performances in our track’s history when she won the Fair Grounds Oaks in a gallop,” said track vice president and general manager Eric Halstrom. “Then last season she generated unprecedented excitement and a record crowd when she became the first reigning Horse of the Year to race at Fair Grounds in almost six decades. She is one of the all-time legends not only of Fair Grounds but of our sport.”
The Grade III, $150,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles will be run Feb. 19 on Louisiana Derby Preview Day. The Rachel Alexandra was previously known as the Silverbulletday Stakes, a name that will now be used for the first in Fair Grounds’ three-race series for 3-year-old fillies. That event had been known as the Tiffany Lass Stakes.
Fair Grounds’ three-race series for 3-year-old fillies on the main track will now go as follows:
Date Race Purse Status Distance
Jan. 22 Silverbulletday Stakes $100,000 Listed 1 mile and 40 yards
Feb. 19 Rachel Alexandra Stakes $150,000 Grade III 1 1/16 miles
March 26 Fair Grounds Oaks $400,000 Grade II 1 1/16 miles
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 10 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. Fair Grounds will host its third annual Quarter Horse Racing Season Sept. 14-25 as well as Quarter Horse racing’s championship night, the Bank of America Challenge Championships, Nov. 19. The 139th Thoroughbred Racing Season will run Nov. 25, 2010-March 27, 2011, highlighted by the 98th Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 26. Information about Fair Grounds can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.
-FG-
___
James J. Mulvihill
Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
A Churchill Downs Incorporated Company
James J. Mulvihill
Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
A Churchill Downs Incorporated Company
1751 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70119
504.948.1233 [office]
504.481.8770 [cell]
504.944.7853 [fax]
504.481.8770 [cell]
504.944.7853 [fax]
2010 Bank of America Challenge Championships Nov. 19
2010-2011 Thoroughbred Racing Season Opens Nov. 25
2010-2011 Thoroughbred Racing Season Opens Nov. 25
________________________________
This Churchill Downs Incorporated communication (including any attachments) is intended for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is confidential, privileged or legally protected. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail message and delete all copies of the original communication. Thank you for your cooperation.
