FAIR GROUNDS TO OFFER FIRST FAIR GROUNDS RACING CLUB

By Brian Spencer —-

HORSES TO BE TRAINED BY AL STALL, JR.

NEW ORLEANS (December 12, 2016) – Following the success of the Churchill Downs Racing Club, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has created the Fair Grounds Racing Club that will have two horses trained by veteran trainer Al Stall, Jr. The two horses, a 2-year-old colt and a 2-year-old filly, are already working under Stall’s care in Louisiana and will be purchased from Spendthrift Farm. Both horses are by Spendthrift’s fashionable young sire Into Mischief.

“The Fair Grounds Racing Club concept is an innovative way to get new owners involved in Thoroughbred racing,” said Spendthrift Farm Owner B. Wayne Hughes. “We are happy to lend our support to that effort to educate members about the exciting opportunities available to owners.”

The Fair Grounds Racing Club will offer 200 people a chance to experience the thrills of Thoroughbred racing as an owner. Memberships in the Fair Grounds Racing Club are available for $500 and incur no further expense throughout the club. The one-time annual membership dues are used to purchase the horses and pay for training fees and other associated expenses. The club gives members an opportunity to learn about the exciting opportunities as a Thoroughbred racing owner with complete transparency regarding all facets of ownership. Previous racing clubs at Churchill Downs and Arlington International Racecourse have sold out within 48 hours.

Perks of being a club member include regular updates on the program via email and a dedicated Facebook page, special club events for viewing certain morning workouts, privileged access to the paddock before the club’s horses race, special accommodations on race day and exclusive members-only events.

The Fair Grounds Racing Club has been organized as a 501(c)(7) Not for Profit Social Club and is structured as an educational association meaning members should not join with any profit motive or expectation of profit. Any purse earnings, should they exist, will be distributed to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Cancer Center. All decisions on the club’s horses will be made by trainer Al Stall, Jr. Gary Palmisano, Jr. will be the club’s director.

“These racing clubs have caught on and been successful and I’m happy to be involved,” Stall said. “Mr. Hughes is obviously a big part of it. He bought each of these horses for a good amount of money and the colt is ready to run. The filly is a Louisiana-bred and should be ready in January.”

“The popularity of other racing clubs at Churchill Downs properties has shown a real demand for the ability to become involved in horse ownership,” said Fair Grounds Track President Tim Bryant. “We look forward to an entertaining and educational season with our first Fair Grounds Racing Club.”

All previous racing clubs at Churchill Downs and Arlington have sold out quickly, so interested members are encouraged to join the club as soon as possible. To join the Fair Grounds Racing Club, please visit http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/fair-grounds-racing-club.

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.