FAIR GROUNDS: FLORENT GEROUX GETS VICTORY 1,000

By Brian Spencer —-

NEW ORLEANS (December 29, 2016) – Placing the proverbial cherry on top of a career year, jockey Florent Geroux won his 1,000th race on Thursday afternoon at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The defending meet champion rider guided Flurry Racing Stables’ Brad Cox-trained Mr. Misunderstood to a resounding 3½-length victory over the Stall-Wilson turf course, adding to a season that has seen the 30-year-old native of France win 10 Grade I events. The win was his 214th of 2016, adding to his more than $17.5 million in earnings this year and in excess of $45.1 million throughout his career thus far.

Geroux, a decorated apprentice in his native country, came to the United States in 2007 and rode his first stakes winner in 2010. Over the last two seasons, the married father of two’s career has skyrocketed with three Breeders’ Cup victories, multiple titles and regularly piloting such top horses as champion sprinter Work All Week, Grade I-winning Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup-placed Gun Runner, multiple Grade I-winning Eclipse Finalists I’m a Chatterbox and The Pizza Man, globetrotting Breeders’ Cup champion Mongolian Saturday and Canadian Horse of the Year Catch a Glimpse.

“It’s a great feeling,” Geroux said. “I’ve had a big year and it has been lots of hard work. It’s been a big team effort with the owners, trainers and my agent Doug Bredar. A lot of miles and sacrifice with my family, but it feels great to get the first thousand. I can’t wait to get another and I hope it comes even quicker.”

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 Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 11 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 145th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 104th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 2016 through April 2017. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.