Fair Grounds Creates Racing Club

Following the success of the Churchill Downs Racing Club, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has created the Fair Grounds Racing Club, which will offer 200 people a chance to experience Thoroughbred racing as an owner.

Veteran trainer Al Stall Jr. was chosen to train for the club and already has a 2-year-old colt and a 2-year-old filly working under his care in Louisiana. These juveniles will be purchased from Spendthrift Farm and both are by Spendthrift's sire Into Mischief  .

"The Fair Grounds Racing Club concept is an innovative way to get new owners involved in Thoroughbred racing," said Spendthrift Farm owner B. Wayne Hughes. "We are happy to lend our support to that effort to educate members about the exciting opportunities available to owners."

Memberships in the Fair Grounds Racing Club are available for $500 and incur no further expense throughout the club. The one-time annual membership dues are used to purchase the horses and pay for training fees and other associated expenses.

Previous racing clubs at Churchill Downs and Arlington International Racecourse have sold out within 48 hours.

Perks of being a club member include regular updates on the program via email and a dedicated Facebook page, special club events for viewing certain morning workouts, privileged access to the paddock before the club's horses race, special accommodations on race day, and exclusive members-only events.

The Fair Grounds Racing Club has been organized as a 501(c)(7) Not for Profit Social Club and is structured as an educational association meaning members should not join with any profit motive or expectation of profit. Any purse earnings will be distributed to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles Cancer Center. All decisions on the club's horses will be made by Stall. Gary Palmisano Jr. will be the club's director.

"These racing clubs have caught on and been successful and I'm happy to be involved," Stall said. "Mr. Hughes is obviously a big part of it. He bought each of these horses for a good amount of money and the colt is ready to run. The filly is a Louisiana-bred and should be ready in January."

"The popularity of other racing clubs at Churchill Downs properties has shown a real demand for the ability to become involved in horse ownership," said Fair Grounds Track President Tim Bryant. "We look forward to an entertaining and educational season with our first Fair Grounds Racing Club."