Super Derby Picks and Preview
Read this article
Fair Grounds Race Course
Part of the Churchill Downs group of race tracks, the Fair Grounds has become the place to be for horsemen and horseplayers wintering in the South. Founded in 1852, the Fair Grounds is located in one of the United States’ premier tourist destinations, New Orleans. The track has become so popular that often times the best jockeys, trainers, and owners will stable a group of horses at the Fair Grounds for the tracks’ winter meet. Like all Louisiana race tracks, the Fair Grounds offers slot betting as well as race betting.
Fair Grounds Race Course Horse Racing
Most horseplayers consider racing at the Fair Grounds on par with racing at Arlington Park. With mighty Churchill Downs Inc. behind it, the Fair Grounds offers online sports bettors ample race days and enough signature events to be an attractive venue for their wagering dollars.
Major Races and Events
Fair Grounds’ major races occur on Louisiana Derby Day. The track usually runs four Grade 2 events and four other restricted stakes races. Taking place 6 weeks before the Kentucky Derby, Louisiana Derby Day often garners the best of the best from multiple thoroughbred racing divisions.
Louisiana Derby
The Grade 2 Louisiana Derby has become a key prep for horses wishing to wear the roses on the First Saturday in May. Because the Fairgrounds is part of the Churchill Downs group of race tracks, and because the purse is $1,000,000, Kentucky horsemen will often times send one or two of their best three-year-old prospects to Louisiana for the Derby.
Risen Star Stakes
Named after Secretariat’s most successful son, the Preakness and Belmont winning Risen Star, the Risen Star Stakes is the Fair Grounds’ key prep for the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. Itself a Grade 2 event, the Risen Star has recently attracted highly regarded three-year-olds who don’t wish to run in the Louisiana Derby because of its $400,000 purse.
New Orleans Handicap
Run on the Louisiana Derby Day undercard, the Grade 2 $400,000 New Orleans Handicap has become a signature Fair Grounds’ race. For four-year-olds and up, the New Orleans Handicap attracts some of the best horses from all over the country and has become a key prep for the major races that occur at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day.
