Fair Grounds ‘David vs. Goliath’ Showdown Set for Tuesday, June 24
The men and women of Louisiana’s historic horseracing industry are fighting for their survival. Angry horsemen and their supporters will fill the room Tuesday at what is expected to be a contentious meeting of the Louisiana Racing Commission(LRC).
Churchill Downs Inc (CDI) has been complaining that they cannot continue to operate the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots without additional income after the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that the wildly popular historic horse racing machines (HHR) are a new form of gaming which must be approved in every parish where CDI operates off-track betting parlors. In addition, video poker operators successfully lobbied at the 2025 session of the Louisiana Legislature to increase the number of machines at truck stops and bars. CDIsays more independently operated video poker machines reducetheir revenue as well. After CDI’s own plea for a state subsidy during the same session failed, they are now turning to the LRC for relief.
As reported in the racing industry newsletter Blood-Horse. LLC, the state’s horsemen have already tentatively agreed to accept a slight decrease in purses for the upcoming season, according to Bernard Chatters, president of the Louisiana Horsemen’sBenevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). Sources inside the industry also believe that the LRC will move to decrease the track’s number of racing days as an additional concession to CDI. Reducing the number of racing days will help CDI cutcosts – especially labor – and strengthen their already substantial bottom line.
Such a reduction will have the opposite effect on the rest of the industry. Fewer racing days and smaller purses means less income for every other business in the industry. Coupled with the ever-rising costs of breeding, feed, stalls, and vet bills, many owners are re-thinking how large a stable they can supportfinancially.
CDI has always gotten away with being a bully. In their home state of Kentucky, politicians are used to bending to CDI’s desires. They are a powerhouse and an important driver of the area’s economy. The New Orleans Fair Grounds is the home of the Jazz Fest each year. In Kentucky, Churchill Downs is themarque venue for numerous signature events. CDI operates a beautiful, well-maintained facility where some say visitors can eat off the bathroom floors. CDI has slow walked making infrastructure improvements at the Fair Grounds, which they would never do in Kentucky.
CDI had previously announced that they would relinquish their license to operate the Fair Grounds before the upcoming season.They dreamed of selling the land to a developer and walking away with millions that they could pour into their Kentucky base. New legislation by the City Council and State Senator Jimmy Harris preserved the historic location as a race track and forced CDI to reconsider their plans for the fall. Once again, the burden to appease CDI will fall on the horsemen.
Former State Representative Arthur A. Morrell, who wrote much of the industry’s legislation and owns and races thoroughbreds at the Fair Grounds and other Louisiana racetracks, said he would be attending Tuesday’s meeting. “I want to hear what Churchill has to say. But I am against reducing the number of days in the racing season. It’s not necessary,” said Morrell.
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