Fair Grounds Concludes Shortened And Relocated Season

Churchill Downs Inc.’s Fair Grounds Race Course Sunday concluded its 37-day season, which was relocated to Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana, because of damage from Hurricane Katrina. Fair Grounds usually hosts 80 or more days of live racing. BUSINESS FIRST OF LOUISVILLE reports total wagering was $134.6M, or an average of $3.64M per day, down 13.1% from the ’04-05 daily average of $4.18M. On-track wagering was $5.96M for an average of $161,252 per day, down 27.2% from last season’s $221,481 average. Average daily simulcast wagering, including wagers made in Fair Grounds’ off-track betting parlors, was $3.48M, a 12.3% decrease from last season (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/24).