A full slate of activities is planned for the re-opening of Fair Grounds
Race Course Thursday. The activities begin with a ribbon-cutting at the historic gates
along Gentilly Boulevard at 10 a.m. (CST). Fair Grounds President Randall Soth
will host the ceremony. He will be joined by Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, members of
the state’s racing industry and other state and local officials.
The grandstand and clubhouse will open for the first time since Hurricane
Katrina at 10:30 a.m.
Track announcer John Dooley will call for a moment of silence to honor those
who lost their lives in Katrina at 11:55 a.m. Shortly thereafter, New Orleans
jazz vocalist Phillip Manuel will perform the Star-Spangled Banner.
After the Paddock Judge calls for “riders up” at about 10 minutes to post,
bugler Les Colonello will be joined for the inaugural “Call to the Post” of the
new season by New Orleans trumpeter Kermit Ruffins.
The official return of racing to the Crescent City comes at 12:25 p.m., and
it will come directly in front of the grandstand. The 1ST race, for
Louisiana-breds, will be contested at a mile and 40 yards, which places the
starting gate at the closest possible vantage point to the on-track crowd.
To commemorate the return of racing to New Orleans, a special trophy will be
presented after each of the 10 races. In addition, after each of the first four
races, Fair Grounds representatives will present a total of $10,000 in donations
to area charities. LSU Equine Health Studies, the New Orleans Council on Aging,
New Orleans City Park, and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans will each
receive $2,500.
The traditional opening day feature, the $75,000 Thanksgiving H., has an
approximate post time of 4:13 p.m.