NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The 2000-2010 season at the Fair Grounds is off and running.
Track officials set Friday's opening for a week earlier than last season so that the first two days would coincide with the Breeders' Cup.
The 85-day meet is designed to build to the Louisiana Derby, which will be run March 27, the final Saturday. The meet will end the next day.
Eric Halstrom, who is starting his second season as Fair Grounds vice president/general manager of racing, told The Times-Picayune that the purses will average about $350,000 per day. Last season, purses averaged more than $342,000 per day. Purses for 66 stakes will total $7.24 million.
©2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
