FASHION & FOOD EXPERIENCE TO COMPLEMENT HIGH-CLASS LOUISIANA DERBY DAY RACING AT FAIR GROUNDS

Mark Connor —-

NEW ORLEANS (Thursday, March 22, 2018) – Nearing the culmination of its 146th Thoroughbred racing season, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has set the stage for an amazing day of high-class horse racing and social engagement. A strong field of ten 3-year-old Kentucky Derby® hopefuls has been entered for Saturday’s 105th running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby (Grade II) presented by Twinspires.com. In addition to the purse money, the top four finishers will earn coveted points (100-40-20-10) on the road to the 144th Kentucky Derby® (Grade I) presented by Woodford Reserve®, to be run Saturday, May 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

“We are thrilled to welcome track fans back to our signature race day and of the most popular and historical sporting events the city has to offer,” said Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and Fair Grounds OTB and Casino’s president, Doug Shipley. “The fierce competition in our Stakes Card, as well as across the day, promises to provide fans worldwide with another glimpse of some of the best equine and jockey talent the industry has to offer. We also look forward to New Orleanians enjoying several unique and memorable new traditions and experiences here this weekend as well.”

In addition, the $400,000 Twinspirescom Fair Grounds Oaks (Grade II) will offer the same number of points en route to the Longines® Kentucky Oaks (Grade I). Other graded stakes on the 14-race program include the New Orleans Handicap (Grade II) and the Mervin H. Muniz, Jr. Memorial Handicap (Grade II). First post for Louisiana Derby Day program is 12:30 p.m. CDT, a half-hour earlier than the typical 1 p.m. CDT first go.

Culminating with the $1 million Louisiana Derby presented by Twinspires.com (scheduled post time 5:20 p.m. CDT), the quartet of Grade II stakes will be run consecutively (races 8-11) and comprise a $200,000 guaranteed All Stakes Pick Four.

Fashion, Food and Fun

For those looking to enjoy a complement of entertaining options at the venerable track, patrons can enjoy the Woodford Reserve® Derby Day Tent Experience on the Apron, complete with Fashion at the Races’ “Most Fashionable Men and Women’s Contest”, Woodford Reserve® tastings, local fare by food truck vendors, Bratz Y’all, the Smoking Oyster Catering Company and Messina’s and more.

Woodford Reserve® Derby Day Tent Experience specifics include:

• Fashion at the Races’ Most Fashionable Men and Women’s Contest
o 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
o Patrons selected by designated Fashion at the Races representatives.
o Contestants vie for over $750 in prizes including, special etched Woodford Reserve® bottles, Gift Cards to Riverwalk’s Neiman Marcus®, the Tie Rack and CD Glamour Cosmetics and Fair Grounds wagering vouchers.
o All contestants receive Fashion at the Races gift bags.

• Woodford Reserve Tastings

o Signature Louisiana Derby Woodford Reserve® cocktail sampling station from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
o Woodford Reserve® to provide free gift items to the first customers to enter the team area during the sampling.
o Additional Woodford Reserve® products and branded decorations as center pieces and also may be around property.
o Special etched 144th Kentucky Derby® Woodford Reserve® bottles provided to each of the Graded Stakes race winners.

• Local Food Truck Fare

o Famed local food truck turned Bywater restauranteur, Bratz Y’all, providing signature bacon-wrapped sausages and bratwursts with signature sauerkraut and caramelized onions, pretzels and 2016 Oak Street Po-boy Festival winner, Nola Schnitzel.
o The Smoking Oyster Catering Company debuts trackside with its own version of local favorite, chargrilled oysters, as well as a complement of chicken wings and fries.
o Messina’s Catering providing ever-favorite and kid friendly popcorn and lemonade stand for the young and young at heart fans.

Special Programming Notes

• Derby Glamour and Designers
o Local purveyors, NOLAWARE Clothiers, featuring stylish men’s accessories, ties and custom accents will be present in the Grandstand Clubhouse.
o Winning designer of both the Top Design Competition and the Yelp People’s Choice awards (selected by the audience) in the 2017 New Orleans Fashion Week – Mimi Holaday – presents her elaborate air-stream trailer boutique complete with hats, fedoras, accessories and more, just beyond Valet Lobby entrance

• Entertainment

o New Orleans Police Department Mounted Patrol will present the American Flag for the National Anthem adjacent to the Winner’s Circle promptly at 11:45 a.m.
o Local singer, Sophia Nawaz, returns to Fair Grounds to perform the National Anthem 12:00 p.m.
o New to the Louisiana Derby Day presented by Twinspires.com tradition is the presentation of a set of well-known and local popular songs to commemorate the Call to Post entry of horses to the famed oval for the Stakes Races. State song, “You are my sunshine” will be the feature and will welcome audience participation via lyrics found in the daily Live Program and will be sung by singer and saxophonist, Anthony Rejiv Cornish.

Additional song selections include:
– 5th race New Orleans Ladies Stakes – “New Orleans Ladies”
– 8th race New Orleans Handicap –“Walking to New Orleans”
– 9th race Muniz Stakes – “Do You Know what it Means to miss New Orleans”
– 10th race Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks – “What a Wonderful World”
– 11th race 105th Louisiana Derby presented by Twinspires.com Louisiana State Song – “You Are My Sunshine”

Admission and Valet Parking

• Grandstand and Woodford Reserve Derby Day Tent Experience General Admission is $10. Clubhouse admission is $20. Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free to all areas. Clubhouse dining reservations and daily Box rentals are sold out, however, general admission seating is available in both the clubhouse and grandstand area on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Special Event Valet Parking prices are in effect for the day. Regular valet parking is $20 and Premium Valet Parking is $30.

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, LA, 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. Currently underway, the 146th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 105th running of the Louisiana Derby to be held March 24 – will run through March 31, 2018. More information can be found online atwww.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.