Fair Grounds Opens 144th Season Thursday

Fair Grounds will open its gates for its 144th season on Thursday, Nov. 19 in New Orleans. (Photos courtesy of Geoff Worden)
It was with great delight that I realized Nov. 19, my birthday, was also opening day for the 144th season of racing at Fair Grounds. What a treat! The scene, the horses and the crowd will be very different from Breeders’ Cup, my last day at the races, but it will feel more like home. 
One of my favorite things to do on a weekday is to enjoy a leisurely, decadent lunch accompanied by an adult beverage or two. Doing this on a birthday is even better. However, this Thursday is seems more appropriate to revel in the neighborhood feel of the Fair Grounds and dine at a style of restaurant becoming all too rare in this city. Local neighborhood joints used to be much more prevalent, serving up simple food at a reasonable price in a no-frills atmosphere. 
A PO'BOY WITH CRACKLINS

The poor boy (or po’boy) sandwich is always featured prominently in these places. What started out as a free meal offered in solidarity to striking streetcar workers, hence the name, has become a New Orleans culinary tradition.
Recent years have brought some unusual, and delicious, versions of the sandwich to restaurants but it seems ironic to pay nearly $20 for a poor boy. I applaud the tasty variations and even make one myself featuring cracklins (the best BLT you’ll ever have) but there is serious appeal, mixed with a little nostalgia, to enjoying a traditional po’boy for under $10. So Big Shirley’s, right around the corner from the track, seems like a perfect destination for my birthday since they offer exactly that. Although I must admit, the shrimp and grits are also calling my name. They don’t serve alcohol but there’s a bar nearby (no shortage of those in New Orleans) and I can get a drink to-go if the spirit moves me.
MYSTERY STREET

Entering through the Mystery Street gate is my preference but let’s not leave any questions about some important information regarding the upcoming meet. You can view the official key dates here, but these are my highlights:
Opening day, Nov. 19, post time 1:25 p.m. If you’re one of the first 1,000 fans through the gate, you’ll get a magnet with the racing schedule. Bring canned goods for a Second Harvest Food Drive through Nov. 29.
Starlight Racing, a regular Friday night racing event with disc jockeys, live music and drink specials, will happen Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 22, Feb. 26 and March 11 with a special post time of 5 p.m. For more information about what to expect at Starlight Racing, read my earlier articles here and here. 
Starting Nov. 22 and continuing throughout the meet, partake in Spirited Sundays with $4 Absolut martinis and bloody marys. There is racing on Thanksgiving, a New Orleans tradition (first post 11 a.m.), but Throwback Thursday will not commence until Dec.3. Beer and hot dogs for $2 each will be available every following Thursday with the exception of New Year’s Eve. From noon to 5 p.m. every Friday (except for Starlight Racing days) you can get $4 glasses of wine. 
There will be racing on Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras! Lundi Gras, for those who may be confused, is the Monday before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). Those dates are Feb. 8 and 9.
RACING AT FAIR GROUNDS

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Big racing days (these are all Saturdays, mark your calendars):
Dec. 12: Louisiana Champions Day; eleven stakes races for Louisiana-breds.
Dec. 19: Santa Super Saturday; six stakes races.
Jan. 16: Road to the Derby Kickoff Day; five stakes races including two Grade 3 races.
Feb. 20: Louisiana Derby Preview Day; six stakes races, including three that are Grade 3 and one Grade 2.
March 26: Louisiana Derby Day; eight stakes races, including four that are Grade 2. 
Plenty of good racing will happen on other days and there are always some great New Orleans characters at the Fair Grounds. Live racing will happen Thursday through Sunday with a lot of Mondays as well, check the calendar before you appear. The gates are ready to open.
I’ll see you at the races!