Key Dates 2019-2020 Fair Grounds Thoroughbred Meet

By Grant LaGrange —-

New Orleans (October 28, 2019) – The 148th Thoroughbred racing season at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is approaching, with opening day scheduled for Thanksgiving Thursday, November 28.

Here are some key dates throughout the season to help fans and horsemen plan ahead (all times Central).

Thirsty Thursdays – Throwback Thursday featuring select $2 beers and $2 hot dogs, available each Thursday throughout the live racing season with the exception of Thanksgiving Day.

Friday Martini Lunch & Weekend Wine’d Up – Weekend Wine’d Up featuring select $4 glasses of wine and 25-cent martinis. Available each Friday of the live racing season with the exception of Starlight Racing dates.

Spirited Sundays – Spirited Sunday $4 Absolut Cocktails available every Sunday throughout the live race meet.

Book Parties with us — Enjoy your holiday party, wedding or special event at one of New Orleans’ most historic venues. Contact Mary Cay Kern at 504-948-1285 or groupsales@fgno.com.

Unless stated otherwise, first race post times for live racing will be 12:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

November 28 – Thanksgiving Day early opening day post time of 12:00 p.m. featuring the Thanksgiving Classic.

December 7 – Holiday Twilight racing presented by Miller Lite and Absolut kicks off with a 3:00 p.m. first post time.

December 14 – Louisiana Champions Day presented by Acadian Ambulance with special post time of 12:00 p.m.. ten Louisiana-bred stakes races with over $1 million dollars in purse money.

December 21 – Family Santa Super Saturday presented by Coca-Cola with a first post of 12:00 p.m. Six stakes races carded worth $450,000 in purse money. National Handicapping Championship Qualifier with seats awarded to the 2020 NHC in Las Vegas.

January 18 – Road To The Derby Kickoff Day presented by Hotel Monteleone, featuring six stakes races worth $775,000 in purse money including the $200,000 GIII Lecomte and $150,000 Silverbulletday, both of which award points for the 2020 GI Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and GI Longines Kentucky Oaks. First post 12:00 p.m.

January 25 – Exotic Animal Racing presented by Miller Lite with twilight post time of 3:00 p.m.

January 26 — Drag Brunch.

February 8 – Red Beans Eating Contest presented by Blue Runner.

February 15 – Road To The Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Ford-Lincoln featuring six stakes races worth over $1 million dollars in purse money including the GII Risen Star and GII Rachael Alexandra, both of which award points for the 2020 GI Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and GI Longines Kentucky Oaks.. Early first post time of 12:00 p.m.

March 7 – Weiner Dog Racing presented by Double M Feed, Garden and Pet Supply.

March 13 – The first of two Starlight Racing Friday nights presented by Miller Lite and Absolut with live music in the Miller Lite Beer Garden from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and live music in the clubhouse from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. First Post 5:00 p.m.

March 21 – Louisiana Derby Day featuring eight stakes worth $2.42 million including the Grade II Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, the Grade II Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, both of which award points for the 2020 GI Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and GI Longines Kentucky Oaks. Also the Grade II New Orleans and the Grade II Muniz Memorial. First post 11:00 a.m.

March 27 – Friday night Starlight Racing first post 5:00 p.m.

March 28 – $60,000 Star Guitar for Louisiana-breds.

March 29 – Closing Day

About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, LA, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global