Slot machines bring boost to Fair Grounds

10 November 2008

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- As reported by The Times-Picayune: "Horses will be off and running Friday on opening day at the Fair Grounds, and slot machines will be ringing on the opening of the track's permanent slots facility. With a boost from slots revenue, Fair Grounds purses are increasing. Many of the nation's top horses, jockeys, trainers and owners will be competing for the money this season.

"To enhance the racing is the purpose of having slots at the track, say officials of the Fair Grounds and its parent company, Churchill Downs Inc.

"The racing, they say, is the focus of the Fair Grounds.

"'All the preparation we've made, if that doesn't tell you we're interested in racing and want to have the best, I don't know any other way to say it,' said Donnie Richardson, Churchill's senior vice president of racing. 'Our emphasis is on racing. I'm not going to say they won't promote the slots parlor. If we can get great racing and great slots, we're going to have to turn people away.'

"...Last season, Fair Grounds purses averaged $342,607 per day. This season, purses will average about $375,000 per day, said Fair Grounds president Austin Miller. Overnight purses (for races excluding stakes) will average about $300,000 per day, a 20 percent increase from last season. The track will offer 63 stakes races with purses totaling more than $6.6 million..."