Churchill Downs Inc. has rescinded its threat to close Fair Grounds Race Course after the Louisiana State Racing Commission approved 76 race dates for the 2025-26 meet at the historic New Orleans track.
The commission granted the dates during an emergency meeting Tuesday, ensuring the upcoming racing season will begin as scheduled on November 20.
The approval comes just two weeks after CDI threatened to surrender its Fair Grounds license, claiming a March state Supreme Court decision and recent legislation related to gaming were “adverse and harmful to the economic interests of Fair Grounds.”
Non-public negotiations involving state officials and the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association led to CDI withdrawing its closure threat after horsemen agreed to “slight” purse reductions.
“We’re just happy there’s going to be a racing season this year,” Fair Grounds general manager Cathy Beeding told NOLA.com.
LSRC chair Edward Koehl thanked Governor Jeff Landry for his assistance in resolving the dispute. Koehl emphasized to NOLA.com that the state made no concessions to CDI during negotiations.
According to reporting from TDN, actions by the New Orleans City Council and state lawmakers to prevent the property from being redeveloped for other uses likely influenced CDI’s more conciliatory position.
The approved race dates will run from November through March at the Fair Grounds, maintaining the traditional winter racing schedule in New Orleans.
Louisiana State Racing Commission approves dates for horse racing at Fair Grounds | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/3KWctSMivv
— wdsu (@wdsu)
Louisiana State Racing Commission approves dates for horse racing at Fair Grounds | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/3KWctSMivv
— wdsu (@wdsu) June 24, 2025
