Also referred to as the New Orleans Fair Grounds, this historic track rests on the land that once housed the Union Race Course. That makes the site of the Fair Grounds Race Course the oldest parcel of land, with live horse racing, that is still in operation in America today. [+]
The Fair Grounds, along with the Delta Downs racecourse, and the Evangeline Downs horse track, suffered major damage at the hands of Hurricane Katrina during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Their racing brethren came to their aide , as the Louisiana Downs Race Track, allowed them to run a 37-day meet to help cover their scheduled 2005-06 race calendar.
Grade II races, the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap, the New Orleans Handicap, the Fair Grounds Oaks, and the historic Louisiana Derby are all run annually at the Fair Grounds. Black Gold, the winner of the 1924 Kentucky Derby and Pan Zareta, known as the “Queen of the Turf” are both buried in the infield at the Fair Grounds. Both Champions are Bayou horse racing legends.
If you haven’t visited the New Orleans, or Louisiana area recently, you should as it’s amazing! If you can’t attend trackside, remember, live Bayou horse racing is just a click away at one of our top rated online horse betting racebooks.