The Fair Grounds morning workouts

[Sundown]

Does anyone know if morning workouts are open to the public at the Fair Grounds? If so any tips or suggestions in checking them out?

[illinoisbred]

I would think so as long as the gates on Gentilly Blvd are open. They used to hold training races on fridays, if memory is correct. I haven't see those listed for quite some time.

[Show Me the Wire]

Bring a scanner to locate the frequency of the communication radios so you can identify the horses being reported to the official clockers as working. :)

[Citation1947]

Does anyone know if morning workouts are open to the public at the Fair Grounds? If so any tips or suggestions in checking them out?

Yes...being that the Fairgrounds has slots you can easily just walk outside anytime to watch horses gallop or breeze. Even before they had slots, you could get there early before they charged you for parking at the Gentilly gates.


I would think so as long as the gates on Gentilly Blvd are open. They used to hold training races on fridays, if memory is correct. I haven't see those listed for quite some time.


You may be right, but I seem to recall the training races were usually held on dark days because many times they had three to five races carded. Of course these had to wait until after the track closed for regular training hours(which I believe they closed 30 mins early).

And being that the unknown factor was always a concern on how long it might take to get these young, inexperienced horses saddled and into the gate as a large group, it wasnt wise to schedule them on the same day of racing. That would just be too much rushing, and rushing defeats the purpose of the training races.

[Sundown]

"Yes...being that the Fairgrounds has slots you can easily just walk outside anytime to watch horses gallop or breeze." Duh! Thanks.

OK, any good info on watching/betting at the Fairgrounds, spots to hang out around the track? I will be going down for the Lecomte on 1/23.

Maybe get a glimpse of Rachel.

[CincyHorseplayer]

A question or two(or 4!) back at ya just out of curiosity.

What's the track like?

What's the surrounding neighborhood like?

What's the weather like?

And are there any advertised weekly hotels nearby?

[newtothegame]

A question or two(or 4!) back at ya just out of curiosity.

What's the track like?

What's the surrounding neighborhood like?

What's the weather like?

And are there any advertised weekly hotels nearby?

There, like any major city, has some issues if you go into the wrong areas of town. But, The area around the track is really nice. Mostly older homes with "quaint" dining facilities sprinkled throughout the neighborhoods.
One specific is Cafe' DeGas. Absolutely wonderful food, very nice patronage, without the price of 5star resturaunts.
heres the web site www.cafedegas.com (http://www.cafedegas.com)
I would highly recommend this on a sunday morning before the races. Not too mention, its walking distance to the track!!!
The weather is up and down for late Jan and early feb with afternoons usually warming up into the mid to high 60's and lows usually in the 40's at night. Now dont get me wrong, there are times when hotter or cooler depending on weather patterns but thats usually the norm.
Mid Feb this year will be difficult on hotels due to Mardi gras being the 16th of Feb. Usually the week leading up to mardi gras, hotels are at about 95% capacity. Other then that, for hotels, I wouldn't suggest anything downtown as prices tend to be higher as you get closer to the french quarter. Although, its very close to the track, only a few miles (maybe 5 at the most). Just do NOT walk it. From the quarter, there are some bad areas between the quarter and the track (down Esplanade ave towards the track).
If you check out a few of the travel agencies, I would be more then willing to answer any specific questions about most any place they refer.
As to the track itself, very nice! Since its remodel (from fire, slash hurricane katrina), there have been many upgrades. A real nice club house with viewing televisions at every seating area. Six dollar gets ya into the club house and only a collar is required. There are other areas through the main building with multiple T.V's to watch if weather doesnt cooperate. Also many many automated betting machines.
Real nice paddock and viewing areas for by standers as horses saddle up.
Outside...a long rail from which to watch a long stretch run. Alot of outdoor seating available tiered in grandstand form. Personally, I like the club house. For six dollars, its full service (waiters and plenty of drinks :cool: ). Not too mention you have the ability to go in and out as many times as ya like if viewing the horses up close is a preferrence.
Anything further I can help with, feel free to ask!
www.fairgroundsracecourse.com (http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/) might help with any questions as well.

[Quagmire]

The Fairgrounds is a nice track to visit, quality racing and excellent food. It seems to me that everytime we go over for a few days it rains at least one of those days so be prepared for that.

Another option available if you don't want to stay near the track and have/rent a car is to stay at one of the casinos along the Mississsippi coast and drive over to the track. Depending on traffic its probably an hour drive from Biloxi or Gulfport to the track.

[illinoisbred]

Fair Grounds is a great track to visit. I've spent several Januarys there. I found accomadations a little difficult,although there were some decent hotels out interstate 10 toward Chalmette(on Read Blvd)-approx.12 miles from the track. I remember 1 winter,I think 1982, they had a day 2 freezing rain/ice storm-no racing for a week and worse yet, the water pipes froze in my hotel so I couldn't shower for about 4 or 5 days. If you are a history buff don't miss the Confederate Museum on/off Camp Street near Lee Circle.

[newtothegame]

Both of the above post are correct. The MS gulf coast is a nice place to stay. Obviously for the (being on the coast) aspect as well as the gaming industry is big. but, as for the accomodations along 10 to the east (new orleans east), most of that has not been rebuilt since katrina...:(

[Jackal]

There isn't much land between New Orleans and Bay St Louis, MS that perks for commercial building. (perk = land has to be above sea level - I am not sure about specifics.) There are motels that have been rebuilt near the casinos. You can also get rooms in the casino motels. You can also get rooms around downtown NO.

The area around the Fairgrounds isn't as safe as one might think. I wouldn't advise walking the streets around the track. NO has the highest crime rate in the nation. Obviously one should know his way around before taking a stroll.

[Sundown]

Thanks for the info. We've got a B & B to stay at in the Marigny. I was thinking about taking the bus up Esplenade from around Rampart, any thoughts on that? We're thinking of checking out Liuzza's by the Track for lunch before heading into the track. Looks like the weather is going to be nice Friday and Saturday, hope the forecast holds up. I was in NOLA back in the late 80's when it was snowing when we were out on a riverboat.

For the club house go you need reservations?