The Louisiana Champions Day program at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Dec. 12 was cancelled after the eighth race due to hazardous weather, which included torrential rain and heavy winds.
“We’re devastated to have to cancel these championship races on one of our best days of the year,” said Fair Grounds vice president and general manager Eric Halstrom. “It was the right decision, though, for the safety of all the participants. We appreciate the input and cooperation of everyone involved in the decision, especially the stewards, the jockeys, the owners, the trainers and, of course, our fans.”
The remaining Louisiana Champions Day races—the $100,000 Turf, $100,000 Ladies Sprint, $150,000 Classic, and $100,000 Sprint will be run as part of Santa Super Saturday on Dec. 19. No new entries for the stakes will be taken.
The three Champions Day Thoroughbred races that were completed were won by Jac Mac Stable’s Superior Storm in the $100,000 Ladies Stakes; Merrill Scherer, Dan Lynch, and Ken Sentel’s Red Rally in the $100,000 Juvenile Stakes; and Carl Moore Management’s Speedacious in the $100,000 Lassie Stakes.
Full refunds are available for advance wagers on Races 9, 10, 11 and 12. Consolation payoffs have been issued for multi-race wagers in which a bettor held a live ticket.
Racing is expected to resume on Dec. 13, with first post scheduled for 12:30 p.m. CDT.