NEW ORLEANS, La. – Louisiana Champions Day will take place on Saturday, December 9, at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award a total of two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.
The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
- Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Spring 2018.
- Must be in good standing with the college or university.
- Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.
- Must have college ID and government issued ID.
For Louisiana Champions Day:
- Registration: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the designated booth.
- Races begin: 12:30 p.m.
- Drawing time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race.The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.
Louisiana Champions Day is Louisiana’s rendering of the Breeders’ Cup, the Louisiana Champions Day brings together the top Thoroughbreds to compete in the stakes that carry a total purse of $1.1 million. Three Quarter Horse and eight Thoroughbred races will lead up to the day’s highlight – the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic. Post time is at 12:30 pm.
Louisiana Champions Day Stakes Races (Louisiana Bred)
- $50,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY HANDICAP STAKES 3YOIUP 1 MILE* (T)
- $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY QH JUVENILE STAKES- GRADE II 2YO 3 50 YARDS
- $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY QH DERBY- GRADE Ill 3YO 400 YARDS
- $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY QH CLASSIC -GRADE II 4YO/UP 440 YARDS $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY LADIES TURF 3YO/UP FILLIES & MARES 1 1/16 MILES* (T)
- $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY JUVENILE 2YO 6 FURLONGS
- $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY SPRINT 3YOIUP 6 FURLONGS
- $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY LADIES SPRINT 3YO/UP FILLIES & MARES 6 FURLONGS
- $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY LASSIE 2YO FILLIES 6 FURLONGS
- $150,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY CLASSIC 3YOIUP 1 1/8 MILES
- $100,000 LA CHAMPIONS DAY TURF 3YO/UP 1 1/16MILES* (T)
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is the third oldest race track in North America, and has been hosting horse racing events since 1872. Located in the mid-city area of New Orleans, it is warmly referred to as New Orleans Fair Grounds. The race track is conveniently situated about 10 minutes from the Central Business District and French Quarter and 20 minutes from New Orleans International Airport.
In true Louisiana racing tradition, the track offers not only first-class thoroughbred stakes, such as the Louisiana Derby, but also slot betting, making it a winner’s paradise. The track features a dirt oval track with a total circumference of one mile, as well as a seven-furlong turf course. One mile races start and finish at the sixteenth pole to prevent a short run towards the first turn. The distance from the last turn to the finish line measures 1.346 feet.
History of Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
- Founded in 1852 as the Union Race Course, the race track was forced to shut after just five years, due to stiff competition from the Metairie Course.
- In 1859 the track reopened, this time as the ‘Creole Race Course’.
- It became officially known as Fair Grounds in 1863, with the first race taking place in 1872.
- Under the gambling regulation of New Orleans, the track was forced to terminate horse racing from 1908 to 1915.
- Later on, in 1919, disaster struck the race track when a fire destroyed the grandstand.
- By 1971, Fair Grounds had experienced enough track highlights to open its own ‘Hall of Fame’. William Lee Shoemaker, Marion H. Van Berg and John Letellier were some of the first jockeys and prominent names in horse racing to be inducted alongside thoroughbred champions Tenacious, Tippity Witchet and Monarchist.
- In 2004,Churchill Downs Incorporated took on ownership of the track and providing new investment for development.
- Following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a new grandstand and clubhouse were opened in 1997.
For more information, please call 1-800-772-1195 or visit louisianabred.com.
Please follow and like us:
