The Louisiana Racing Commission recently granted Churchill Downs Inc. a one-year conditional license to operate its Fair Grounds racetrack in New Orleans. The issuance of the license was not a sure thing since horsemen complained that Churchill did not take proper care of Fair Grounds’ track and grandstand.
Under the license approval, Fair Grounds must provide regular updates to commission staff regarding turf course repairs and improved customer service. Track President Tim Bryant assured commissioners that Fair Grounds will spend $200,000 on the track’s turf course beginning in late May and invest $200,000 to replace a video board in the infield that has been broken for several years. Bryant also said the track would increase its marketing efforts for horseracing. “We look forward to working diligently on the proposed conditions in order to ensure that racing continues at one of the most historic tracks in the country,” Bryant said.
Churchill officials still are waiting to hear if the state Senate will consider a bill requiring it to spend 10 percent of Fair Grounds’s slot-machine revenue on capital improvements at the track. The slots parlor generates $40 million in annual revenue. The bill passed the House by a vote of 94-0 two weeks ago but has not been introduced in the Senate.
