NEW ORLEANS – The Fair Grounds Race Course announced that it will not open its 2020-2021 race season on Thanksgiving Day to the general public. The course anticipates making a subsequent announcement in December as to when the general public will be allowed to attend.
“We are happy to be able to present the Fair Grounds’ 149th racing season, featuring over $7 million in stakes, and continue this longstanding New Orleans tradition despite these unprecedented times,” said Fair Grounds President Doug Shipley. “Out of an abundance of caution given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and working with state and local authorities, we will not be opening the season to the general public at this time, with only licensed horsemen and essential personnel allowed to attend. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and hope to make an announcement soon as to when we will be able to share our racing experience with the general public.”
The Fair Grounds’ slots and twelve off-track betting facilities will maintain their normal hours of operations and safety protocols.
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. It is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 12 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 149th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 108th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from Nov. 26 through March 28.
More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.
