Fair Grounds continues to make mandated improvements
Nov 11, 2014 14:53:52 GMT -5
Post by cait on Nov 11, 2014 14:53:52 GMT -5
Fair Grounds continues to make mandated improvements prior to upcoming Thoroughbred meet
NOLA.com
The Fair Grounds has begun the process of installing video screens in the paddock and infield for the upcoming Thoroughbred meet, according to a progress report given in a Louisiana State Racing Commission meeting on Monday.
The two video screens were promised by Churchill Downs Inc., the parent company of the Fair Grounds, as a condition to getting their racing license renewed. The track had long received complaints about the broken infield video board and the blurry paddock screen.
Track management has been busy making upgrades to other areas the Commission said needed work as a requirement of their license.
Fair Grounds president Tim Bryant outlined several of the upgrades during Monday's progress report.
The Thoroughbred meet opens on Nov. 21.
Here are some of the improvements
THE BACKSIDE
- 480 skylights have been replaced in various barns
- Nine barns were painted
- Doors were added to the barn reserved for horses shipping in from other tracks, along with three TV sets.
- Bathroom and living areas for barn areas have been upgraded
CUSTOMER SERVICE
- The track hosted a customer appreciation party in Gretna, with plans for more
- The track will play host to the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship Qualifier on Dec. 20.
OFF TRACK BETTING PARLORS
The Louisiana State Police conducted an audit of Churchill Downs 11 off-track bettlng parlors around the area, inspecting the TVs and pari-mutuel machines.
Bryant said three TVs were replaced, and the 131 pari-mutuel machines, which were all operating at the time of the audit, should be running without issue.
THE TURF COURSE
Appearances can be deceiving, but both the Commission and Bryant seemed optimistic about the repairs to the turf course.
Bryant said the track has replaced more than 1,600 feet of drainage pipes, added a new drainage system and did repair work on the turfs.
The turf course has had drainage problems for several years, remaining wet and unusable several days after a storm. Bryant said he was hopeful the repairs did the track.
"If the appearance of the turf course is any indication, it was so lush and green. It really looked great," said commissioner Judy Wagner during the meeting.
Remembering Jerry Meaux: Commission chairman Jerry Meaux was killed in a car accident in April. But he certainly has not been forgotten. The Commission reserved a portion of the meeting to honor Meaux's family and share stories about his time in racing.
Before he was appointed Commission chairman in 2008, Meaux had served as a commissioner from 1996-2004. He had worked in racing since the early 1960s, and was an owner/trainer from the late 1970s until taking his post as chairman.
A portrait of Meaux will now hang in the LRSC offices on N. Carrollton.
Bob Wright gave up his seat as vice chairman to accept Meaux's vacant seat. Wagner was nominated as the new vice chairman in his place on Monday.
NOLA.com
The Fair Grounds has begun the process of installing video screens in the paddock and infield for the upcoming Thoroughbred meet, according to a progress report given in a Louisiana State Racing Commission meeting on Monday.
The two video screens were promised by Churchill Downs Inc., the parent company of the Fair Grounds, as a condition to getting their racing license renewed. The track had long received complaints about the broken infield video board and the blurry paddock screen.
Track management has been busy making upgrades to other areas the Commission said needed work as a requirement of their license.
Fair Grounds president Tim Bryant outlined several of the upgrades during Monday's progress report.
The Thoroughbred meet opens on Nov. 21.
Here are some of the improvements
THE BACKSIDE
- 480 skylights have been replaced in various barns
- Nine barns were painted
- Doors were added to the barn reserved for horses shipping in from other tracks, along with three TV sets.
- Bathroom and living areas for barn areas have been upgraded
CUSTOMER SERVICE
- The track hosted a customer appreciation party in Gretna, with plans for more
- The track will play host to the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship Qualifier on Dec. 20.
OFF TRACK BETTING PARLORS
The Louisiana State Police conducted an audit of Churchill Downs 11 off-track bettlng parlors around the area, inspecting the TVs and pari-mutuel machines.
Bryant said three TVs were replaced, and the 131 pari-mutuel machines, which were all operating at the time of the audit, should be running without issue.
THE TURF COURSE
Appearances can be deceiving, but both the Commission and Bryant seemed optimistic about the repairs to the turf course.
Bryant said the track has replaced more than 1,600 feet of drainage pipes, added a new drainage system and did repair work on the turfs.
The turf course has had drainage problems for several years, remaining wet and unusable several days after a storm. Bryant said he was hopeful the repairs did the track.
"If the appearance of the turf course is any indication, it was so lush and green. It really looked great," said commissioner Judy Wagner during the meeting.
Remembering Jerry Meaux: Commission chairman Jerry Meaux was killed in a car accident in April. But he certainly has not been forgotten. The Commission reserved a portion of the meeting to honor Meaux's family and share stories about his time in racing.
Before he was appointed Commission chairman in 2008, Meaux had served as a commissioner from 1996-2004. He had worked in racing since the early 1960s, and was an owner/trainer from the late 1970s until taking his post as chairman.
A portrait of Meaux will now hang in the LRSC offices on N. Carrollton.
Bob Wright gave up his seat as vice chairman to accept Meaux's vacant seat. Wagner was nominated as the new vice chairman in his place on Monday.