1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 www.fairgroundsracecourse.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian W. Spencer, Racing Analyst/Racing Communications, 504.948.1233, brian.spencer@fgno.com
KEY DATES TO KNOW: 143rd THOROUGHBRED RACING SEASON
NEW ORLEANS (Thursday, November 6, 2014) – The 143rd Thoroughbred Racing season at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is near, with Opening Night and Starlight Racing taking place Nov. 21
Here are some key dates before and during the season to help fans and horsemen plan ahead (all times Central).
November 21- Opening Night of the 143rd Thoroughbred Racing Season presented by East Jefferson General Hospital with Starlight Racing with a Cosmic twist and the Miller Lite White Out Party along with live music from The Boogie Men in the clubhouse DJ Kemistry in the Miller Time Beer Garden. Local food truck fare including Crepes a la Carte and drink specials will be available. First post 5 p.m.
November 22- Racing schedule magnet giveaway to the first 1,500 customers.
November 23- Spirited Sundays (and every Sunday thereafter) with $4 Absolut Bloody Mary & Martinis available at the Tenacious Bar and walk-up bar locations.
November 27- Thanksgiving Day Handicap. First post 11 a.m. Clubhouse dining reservations are sold out, and a Thanksgiving buffet will be offered for all race fans in the Pan Zareta Room for $34 for adults and $12 for children. Thanksgiving buffet menu details are available at www.fgno.com.
November 29- Veterans Appreciation Day – $1 hot dog and Coca-Cola soft drink for veterans with proper identification.
December 4- Throwback Thursdays (and every Thursday thereafter) with $2 Miller Lite Cans and $2 hot dogs available at all concession stands excluding the Gentilly Grill and the Desaix Deli.
December 5- Weekend Wine’d Up (and every non-Starlight Friday thereafter) with $4 wine from 12pm-5pm available in the clubhouse and at the Tenacious Bar.
December 6- Jockey Trading Card Giveaway: Jockey Robby Albarado
December 13- Louisiana Champions Day presented by Acadian Ambulance Service with 11 stakes races worth $1.1 million. Military Appreciation Day – $1 hot dog and Coca-Cola soft drink for military members with proper identification. First post 12 p.m.
December 20- Santa Super Saturday: Coca-Cola Holiday Family Day presented by Coca-Cola. DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship Qualifier in the Black Gold Room offers two paid seats into the National Handicapping Championship January 23-25 at Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas along with hotel stay and a $400 travel voucher. Entry fee is $200 plus a $50 NHC Tour Registration fee if players are not registered. First post 12 p.m.
December 26 - Starlight Racing with a Cosmic twist and the Miller Lite White Out Party along with live music from 90 Degrees West in the clubhouse and DJ Mig in the Miller Time Beer Garden. Local food truck fare will be offered. First post 5 p.m.
December 27- Jockey Trading Card Giveaway: Jockey Florent Geroux
January 3 - Jockey Trading Card Giveaway: Jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr.
January 10 – Stick Pony Racing: Join us before first post for the biggest stick pony race in Louisiana. Details to follow.
January 16- Starlight Racing with live music by Groovy 7 in the clubhouse. Local food truck fare will be offered. First post 5 p.m.
January 17- Road to the Derby Kickoff Day Presented by Hotel Monteleone. Five stakes worth $560,000 including the Grade III Lecomte Stakes and the Grade III Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap. Derby coozies for the first 1000 to enter. First post 12:30 p.m.
January 19 – Racing Fan Appreciation Day - $1 Live Racing Programs
January 24- Jockey Trading Card Giveaway: Jockey Jamie Theriot
February 7- Jockey Trading Card Giveaway: Jockey Kerwin Clark
February 8- Teacher Appreciation Day: $1 hot dog & Coca-Cola soft drink for teachers with proper identification.
February 15- Jockey Trading Card Giveaway: Jockey Richard Eramia
February 17- Mardi Gras Racing highlighted by the Mardi Gras Stakes. First Post 12:00 p.m.
February 21- LA Derby Preview Day Presented by Lamarque Ford. Six stakes worth $945,000 including the Grade II Risen Star Stakes, the Grade III Rachel Alexandra Stakes, the Grade III Mineshaft Handicap, and the Grade III Fair Grounds Handicap. First post 12:30 p.m.
February 22-28: Bark Week presented by Double M Feed
February 22- Jack Russell Racing is added to the schedule this year to complement the massive popularity of Wiener Dog racing last season. See Jack Russells compete for prizes and bragging rights for their owners.
February 27- Starlight Racing with live music by The Top Cats in the clubhouse and DJ Crush in the Miller Time Beer Garden. Local food truck fare will be offered. First post 5 p.m.
February 28- Wiener Dog Racing returns to the Fair Grounds where one pure-bred Dachshund will be crowned Wiener Dog Racing Champion
March 7- Jockey Trading Card Giveaway: Jockey James Graham
March 8- Family Day: Princesses, Ponies and Superheroes – come together on the track apron for a festive day of family fun.
March 14 - Racing Fan Appreciation Day - $1 Live Racing Programs
March 20- Starlight Racing with live music by The Mixed Nuts in the clubhouse and DJ San-D in the Miller Time Beer Garden. Local food truck fare will be offered. First post 5 p.m.
March 28- Louisiana Derby Day. Eight stakes races worth $2.12 million highlighted by the Grade II Lousiana Derby and the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks. Also includes the Grade II Mervin H. Muniz, Jr. Memorial Handicap, and the Grade II New Orleans Handicap. First Post 12:30 p.m.
March 29- Closing Day
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 11 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 143rd Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 102nd running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 2014 through March 2015. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.
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