Clubhouse Reservations Line Opens October 22; New Opening Day Premium Tables Offer VIP Experience

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jim Mulvihill
Communications and Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
504-948-1233
james.mulvihill@fgno.com

Clubhouse Reservations Line Opens October 22; New Opening Day Premium Tables Offer VIP Experience

NEW ORLEANS (Friday, October 12, 2012) - Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will begin accepting Clubhouse and box seat reservations for the 141^st Thoroughbred Racing Season on October 22, one month prior to the traditional opening on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. Reservations can only be made by phone on weekdays (through Nov. 21) or live racing days (Nov. 22 and beyond), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at (504) 943-2200.

Reservations for Louisiana Derby Day (March 30, 2013) will not be accepted until January 4. All other dates will be open Oct. 22.

Thanksgiving Day Premium Tables

Options for Thanksgiving Day include four new, exclusive premium tables with the best views in the house - right by the finish line in the Clubhouse's front row ("along the glass," as the regulars say, referring to the massive 25-foot-high windows that look out onto the track from the fourth-floor Clubhouse level).

The Chairman's Table (for six) will offer the ultimate Opening Day experience, including: Thanksgiving buffet, champagne, bar tab, tax and gratuity, a visit to the announcer's booth to watch John G. Dooley call a race, a visit to the paddock for a race preview with Katie Mikolay, and, best of all, the honor of presenting the trophy to the winning connections of the featured Thanksgiving Day Handicap.

Three President's Tables (for four or six) will be offered with the same features as the Chairman's Table, except groups at the President's Tables will present trophies for earlier races on the program.

The one-of-a-kind Chairman's Table is $2,500 all-inclusive. A President's Table for six (two available) is $2,000 and the President's Table for four (one available) is $1,300.

All other Thanksgiving Day Clubhouse Dining reservations start at $65 per person - at tables of four or six only - and go up to $125 per person, depending on row.

There will be an early first post on Thanksgiving Day at 11 a.m. Central Standard Time.

Other Key Dates

Clubhouse reservations will also open Oct. 22 for a slew of important stakes days and Starlight Racing nights.

Major stakes days this season include Louisiana Champions Day (Dec. 8), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Jan. 19), Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 23) and Louisiana Derby Day (April 1).

The popular Starlight Racing series with live music, DJs, food trucks, drink specials and racing under the lights returns for seven dates: Dec. 28, Jan. 18, Feb. 1 & 22 and March 1, 8 & 15.

Clubhouse admission will be $10 on Graded Stakes Days and Starlight Racing nights. All other programs throughout the 84-day season will carry a $7 Clubhouse admission.

Additional live racing dates that traditionally fill up early are opening weekend (Nov. 23-25), the day after Christmas (Dec. 26), New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) and Mardi Gras Day (Feb. 12).

Clubhouse and Grandstand Boxes

In addition to Clubhouse Dining, fans can reserve Clubhouse or Grandstand boxes for any day of the meet except Louisiana Derby Day.

A limited number of Clubhouse boxes are available daily for $35 (for six) or $17.50 (for three), except for Starlight Racing and Special Events, when the cost is $95 (for six) or $47.50 (for three). Box seat prices include the standard admission charge.

Grandstand boxes by the day go for $20 (for six) or $10 (for three), except for Starlight Racing and Special Events, when they're priced at $80 (for six) or $40 (for three). Box seat prices include the standard admission charge for Starlight Racing and Special Events.

Call (504) 943-2200 for box reservations.

About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation's third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 10 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 141^st Thoroughbred Racing Season runs Thanksgiving Day, November 22, through March 31, 2013, highlighted by the milestone 100^th running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby for Kentucky Derby hopefuls on March 30, 2013. More information can be found online at http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/.

-FG-