Fair Grounds Damage Unknown; Track Used as Staging Area

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As Hurricane Katrina moved through New Orleans Monday, the Fair Grounds racetrack sustained some structural damage and the track's parking lot was being used as a staging area from which rescue vehicles and personnel could work.

Julie Koenig-Loignon, a spokeswoman for Churchill Downs Incorporated, said there were some security personnel at the track during the storm and there were reports of some damage to the track structure, as of mid-afternoon Monday.

"The neighborhood around the track is sustaining heavy winds right now, and we do have some reports of damage to the track structure," Koenig-Loignon said.  "We won't know how extensive for a while...as our guys are hunkered down and have limited views outside."

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