Fair Grounds Announces 10% Across the Board Purse Increase

Joe Kristufek/Kevin Kilroy —-

Fair Grounds Announces 10% Across the Board Purse Increase

Strong Early Business Prompts Daily Bump and Stakes Boost

New Orleans, La (Jan. 9, 2024) – Inspired by strong handle during the first seven weeks of the 152nd racing season, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% purse increase across the board, along with $25,000 added to the purses of ten stakes.

“We’re extremely excited to announce a 10% increase to our daily purse structure along with the $25,000 boost to ten stakes,” Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones said. “Based on the strong early handle returns and continued support from our owners, horsemen, and horseplayers, we are in a position to raise purses.”

The 10% across the board purse increase will go in effect with the soon to be released condition book #4, which begins with the Thursday, Jan. 25 card (drawn Thursday, Jan. 18).

The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $57,000.

The seven remaining stakes listed at $75,000 have been increased to $100,000: Louisiana Broodmare of the Year, Louisiana Stallion of the Year, Allen “Black Cat” Lacombe Memorial, Black Gold, Edward J. Johnston Memorial, Red Camelia, and Page Cortez. In addition, three stakes run on Louisiana Derby Day (March 23) have been boosted by $25,000. The Tom Benson Memorial, a 1 1/16 miles turf route for older fillies and mares will now be run for $150,000 purse, and both the Crescent City Derby and Oaks will now be run for $125,000.

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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, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 16 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 152nd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 111th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 17, 2023 through March 24, 2024. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.