FAIR GROUNDS KEY DATES TO KNOW: 146th THOROUGHBRED RACING SEASON

By Brian Spencer —-

NEW ORLEANS (November 7, 2017) – The 146th Thoroughbred Racing Season at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is approaching, with Opening Day scheduled for Saturday, November 18 with Starlight Racing and a 3 p.m. first post.

Below are some key dates throughout the season to help fans and horsemen plan ahead (all times Central). In a change from years past, graded stakes days will have a 1 p.m. first post. Post time for all live racing days will be 1 p.m. with the exception of any modified post times listed below.

November 18: Opening Day featuring Starlight Racing presented by Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Absolut, Jameson, Event Producers and B97 with musical guests The Chee Weez in the clubhouse and The Jukebox Heroes of New Orleans in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. First day of Second Harvest Food Drive (runs through Nov. 30) with collection boxes located at Fair Grounds and all Fair Grounds-affiliated OTB locations. First post 3 p.m.

November 23: Thanksgiving Day featuring the Thanksgiving Handicap. First post 11 a.m.

November 24: Weekend Wine’d Up featuring select $4 glasses of Kung Fu Girl Riesling and The Velvet Devil Merlot in the clubhouse between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Available each Friday of the live racing season with the exception of Starlight Racing dates.

November 26: Spirited Sunday featuring $4 Absolut martinis and bloodies, available each Sunday throughout the live racing season.

November 30: Throwback Thursday featuring select $2 Miller Lite can beers and $2 hot dogs, available each Thursday throughout the live racing season with the exception of Thanksgiving Day.

December 9: Louisiana Champions Day presented by Acadian Ambulance Service featuring 11 stakes races worth $1.1 million for Louisiana-breds. LTBA scholarship giveaway. Complimentary clubhouse admission for members of the military with valid identification. First post 1pm.

December 16: Santa Super Saturday featuring Coca-Cola Holiday Family Day from 12-4 p.m. with six stakes races worth $400,000.

December 29: Starlight Racing presented by Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Absolut, Jameson, Event Producers and B97 with musical guests, Groovy 7 performing in the clubhouse and Adam Pierce from The Voice in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. LTBA & Fair Grounds scholarship giveaway. First post 5 p.m.

January 2: Wiener Dog entries open.

January 13: Road to the Derby Kickoff Day presented by Hotel Monteleone, featuring six stakes races worth $700,000 including the Grade III Lecomte Stakes, the Grade III Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes and the Silverbulletday Stakes. First post 1 p.m.

January 19: Starlight Racing presented by Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Absolut, Jameson, Event Producers and B97 with musical guests, The Boogiemen performing in the Clubhouse and Jim Lockwood in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. First post 5 p.m.

February 13: Mardi Gras Racing featuring the Mardi Gras Stakes.

February 17: Louisiana Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Motor Company, featuring six stakes races worth $1.02 million including the Grade II Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Motor Company, the Grade II Rachel Alexandra Stakes, the Grade III Fair Grounds Handicap and the Grade III Mineshaft Handicap. First post 1 p.m.

February 23: Starlight Racing presented by Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Absolut, Jameson, Event Producers and B97 with musical guests The Mixed Nuts performing in the Clubhouse and Amy & Paul from Roux the Day in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. First post 5 p.m.

March 3: Wiener Dog Racing presented by Double M Feed Garden & Pet Supply.

March 9: Starlight Racing presented by Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Absolut, Jameson, Event Producers and B97 with musical guests The Bucktown All-Stars performing in the clubhouse and The Jukebox Heroes of New Orleans in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. First post 5 p.m.

March 24: Louisiana Derby Day presented by Twinspires.com featuring eight stakes worth $2.36 million including the Grade II Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks, the Grade II New Orleans Handicap and the Grade II Muniz Memorial Handicap. First post 1 p.m.

March 31: Closing Day.

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. The 146th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 105th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 18, 2017 through March 31, 2018. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.