Venue for Saturday . . .
 

Looks like Fair Grounds is the place to be. Too early for Derby Preps. Any other suggestions?

:{>: FAIR GROUNDS = MY FAVORITE TRACK :{>:

I ONCE CALLED THEM TO ASK
“ WHY IS IT 2 WORDS “

THEY HAD NO CLUE :zz:

The Fair Grounds looks like the place for us to be on Saturday. Quite a few folks consider the Lecomte as a kickoff for the Derby prep season.

They have scheduled what looks like a long day of racing. First post is noon and they don't run the feature (race 14!) until 6:30. Lots of maiden races to get through before the stakes races commence. Perhaps something less than the full card would be desirable?

The Fair Grounds was formally established as a racing venue in 1872, but there had been racing of a sort even prior to that. There are references to thoroughbred races being held at the site as early as 1838. It had gone by the name of the Union Course and the Creole Course during the 1850's. At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, it was a base for Confederate soldiers under the name of Camp Walker. In 1863, the Creole Course was transformed into what was called the "Mechanics and Agricultural Fair Grounds", hence the two words.

Good stuff JB, thanks for the history lesson. It's adds real meaning to the site for sure.