| The Fair Grounds Race Course is a Churchill Downs | | | | In 1940, a legislative sanction was given to racing in |
| Company located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The | | | | Louisiana and the track was sold to be turned into a |
| course is often referred to as the New Orleans Fair | | | | subdivision. However, in 1941 a group of investors |
| Grounds, but the track has had many more names | | | | saved the track from destruction and racing resumed |
| throughout its history. | | | | after World War II. |
| The track was opened originally as the Union Race | | | | The track was sold to the Krantz Family in 1990. In |
| Course in 1852, but was closed in 1857 due to | | | | 1993, the grandstand was completely destroyed by |
| competition from the Metairie Course. The track was | | | | another fire and racing continued with temporary |
| renamed in 1859 to the Creole Race Course and the | | | | facilities. Finally, in 1994 a $23 million renovation project |
| name was changed again in 1863 to the Fair Grounds | | | | began and completed the grandstand and clubhouse |
| when racing was conducted during the Civil War. The | | | | for opening on Thanksgiving Day in 1997. The track |
| track was then closed again when Metairie Course | | | | was purchased by Churchill Downs in 2004. However, |
| reopened after the Civil War. Finally, in 1871 the young | | | | the track would be damaged again by Hurricane |
| members of the Metairie Jockey Club formed the | | | | Katrina and was closed for a year until it was |
| Louisiana Jockey Club and began holding their race | | | | reopened on Thanksgiving Day of 2006. |
| meets at the Fair Grounds. In 1872, the first race card | | | | However, despite its rough life, the track has had |
| was held under the Louisiana Jockey Club. | | | | several memorable moments. The great mare Pan |
| The Fair Grounds is the third oldest Thoroughbred race | | | | Zareta and Black Gold, the winner of the 1924 |
| track in the United States, just behind Saratoga and | | | | Kentucky Derby were both buried in the infield. Tippity |
| Pimlico. The track consists a one mild dirt track and a | | | | Witchet, the son of Broomstick, ran many of his 266 |
| seven furlong turf course. The turf course was | | | | races at the track. The track is also home to the |
| installed in 1981. The track has not had an easy life with | | | | Louisiana Derby (Grade II), the New Orleans Handicap |
| racing being banned in New Orleans in 1908 and then | | | | (Grade II), the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap |
| returning in 1915. In 1919, the track would suffer when | | | | (Grade II) and the Fair Ground Oaks (Grade II). |
| the grandstand burned down, but the racing continued. | | | | |