Fair Grounds Race Course 2024 Quarter Horse Season Gets Underway On Thursday

The 15-day meet concludes on Saturday, September 14, with the final of the LQHBA Sale Futurity (RG1) for Accredited Louisiana-Breds.

© Fairgrounds Racecourse

ALEXANDRIA, LA–AUGUST 12, 2024–Fair Grounds Racing Course in New Orleans will run a 15-day Quarter Horse meet from Thursday, August 15 through Saturday, September 14, 2024.  The nation’s third-oldest racetrack has a respected history of crowning both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse champions

Live racing will be contested on August 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 as well as September 5, 6, 7 and 12,13,14. Post time is 12:00 noon (Central). Two key dates are:

> Friday, August 23: Trials for LQHBA Sale Futurity (RG1)
> Saturday, September 14: Final of LQHBA Sale Futurity (RG1)

The LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) first ran in 1984 with a $87,970 purse. All yearlings who pass through the ring of the annual LQHBA Yearling Sale are eligible to run in trials for this Futurity in the following year. Brian Gunder’s One Cool Corona was the 2023 champion, with a final purse of $448,771. This year’s purse is estimated to reach $550,000.

One Cool Corona (#7), under jockey J.R. Ramirez, won the $448,771 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) at Delta Downs last year. © Coady Photography

The $150,000-estimated Big Easy Futurity will be contested on Friday, September 13, for the first time in New Orleans. Also new in 2024 is the $50,000 LQHBA Sale Debutante for 2-year-old fillies that did not qualify for the LQHBA Sale Futurity.

"We look forward to the upcoming live racing season at Fair Grounds Race Course," said Bruce Salard, executive director of the LQHBA. "With the addition of the Big Easy Futurity, we look forward to an exceptional closing weekend in which we shine the spotlight on accredited Louisiana-bred juveniles."

For more information on racing, dining, and events, visit the Fair Grounds website.

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2024 Fair Grounds Quarter Horse Stakes

Friday, August 16  
$40,000 Gentilly Dash  - 250 Yards  3YO & Up

Saturday, August 17        
$50,000 Treme Derby  (G3)   - 350 Yards  3YO
$50,000 Audubon Stakes   - 350 Yards  3YO & Up  F&M

Saturday, August 31
$40,000 Faubourg St. John Stake  - 870 Yards  3YO & Up

Saturday, September 7
$40,000 French Quarter Stakes   - 330 Yards  3YO & Up F&M
$40,000 Esplanade Stakes  - 350 Yards   3YO & Up
$50,000 Mid-City Stakes (G2)  - 440 Yards   3YO & Up
$50,000   Lakeview Dash Stakes  - 250 Yards   3YO & Up

Friday, September 13
$150,000 Big Easy Futurity  - 350 yards    2 YO
$40,000 De Saix Stakes   - 330 Yards   2 YO

Saturday, September 14, 2024
$50,000 LQHBA Sale Juvenile  - 350 Yards   2 YO
$50,000 LQHBA Sale Debutante  - 350 Yards   2 YO Fillies
$550,000 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1)  - 350 Yards   2 YO