Editor’s note: Following the publication of this article, Gayle Benson has released the following statement through Saints and Pelicans Executive Greg Bensel regarding the sale of the Fair Grounds:
“With the recent news generated by Churchill Downs concerning their continued racing at Fair Grounds, we have had numerous calls regarding our interest in purchasing the Fair Grounds. Mrs. Benson continues to support the horse racing industry not only in Kentucky but more importantly here in Louisiana.
“She has always maintained a great relationship with the leadership at Churchill Downs and certainly has been monitoring this situation at the Fair Grounds. Her hope is that horse racing continues in New Orleans at the Fair Grounds and is prosperous and sustainable.
“It is an important and iconic industry that we cannot lose. To our knowledge, which is very limited relative to the operations of the Fair Grounds, it is not for sale. Our focus is on Saints minicamp and the upcoming NBA Draft.”
Churchill Downs Inc.’s (CDI) announcement that they might surrender their Fair Grounds racing license could be viewed as good news. The admission came in a June 9th letter to the Louisiana State Racing Commission which has frequently listened to CDI officials whining that they are not making enough money in Louisiana to survive.
CDI lobbied the Louisiana Legislature unsuccessfully for a direct subsidy to make up for the removal of historic horse racing (HHR) machines from its off-track betting parlors (OTBs). Considered electronic gaming devices, HHRs offer players a chance to bet on races that have already taken place. HHRs are extremely popular and offer much higher payouts than other machines. Louisiana’s Supreme Court recently ruled that HHRs are a new form of gaming and must be approved by the voters in each parish. CDI has yet to propose such a vote in Orleans or any other parish where their OTBs are located.
The facts are clear: Last year CDI earned $1 Billion from the Fair Grounds with its 80-day racing meet, slots, casino, 13 OTB parlors, and simulcast along with substantial fees paid by dozens of trainers and owners who stable up to 2,000 horses at the Fair Grounds for the winter racing season when it’s too cold up north. In addition, CDI also earns a pretty penny each year from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
As part of their agreement with regulators, CDI is obligated to fund certain physical improvements at the Fair Grounds. Some critics claim that those improvements are hard to find; that CDI’s goal is to bring home all the bacon to Louisville, Kentucky.
Horse breeding and racing have become a preferred sport for the rich. Many individuals and families who love the industry used to operate small stables with five or 10 horses. Yet escalating costs for everything from feed and labor to vet bills have driven more than a few small operators out of business. In addition, several big-name trainers with higher-quality Kentucky-bred horses now dominate the Fair Grounds.
CDI currently argues that the closure of the Fair Grounds would negatively impact the state’s equine industry and cause a loss of revenue and jobs. That scenario is certainly possible if the Fair Grounds shut down forever. Simply put, permanent closure of the Fair Grounds just won’t happen.
Horse racing at the Fair Grounds is part of the gumbo of New Orleans. Small owners, trainers and suppliers are engrained in Louisiana’s culture going back to the 1800’s. The track itself is historic and one of the most recognized in the country. Big-name owners and trainers from across the U.S. like coming here because of the city’s traditions, ambiance, food, music and mild weather. Fewer accidents occur on this track than many others.
Over the years, the Fair Grounds has had local owners like the Roussel family who were committed to operating a first-class facility. That’s what the Fair Grounds needs now – an owner or ownership group who truly care about the horses and the people who make up the industry in Louisiana. Hopefully Gayle Benson or some other deep-pocketed horse racing enthusiast will quickly step up to fill CDI’s void.
I’d LOVE to see G Benson take charge. Maybe locals can benifit more.
I’d LOVE to see G Benson take charge. Maybe locals can benifit more.
I’d LOVE to see G Benson take charge. Maybe locals can benifit more. To keep revenus at home is a good idea.
Too bad it couldn’t have been good bye Churchill Downs Hello anybody when Churchill Downs was considering closing Arlington Park Race Track years ago, stealing a wonderful racing venue for the Chicagoland racing enthusiasts. Instead, the heartless, ruthless Churchill Downs bastards said that Arlington would have a negative effect on the revenues of the Sportsbook at the riverboat casino in the nearby suburb of DesPlaines. This was all because there was plans to introduce video slot machines into Arlington.
Now, Churchill Downs is getting swallowed up like the POS it really always was.
We would definitely go more often if we could purchase our tickets at the fair grounds and NOT online with fees attached.