Churchill Downs Inc. has decided to run a 2025-26 meet at its Fair Grounds racetrack in New Orleans after “constructive conversations” with the state’s governor and a local state senator, the company said on Tuesday.
In response to questions, Churchill said in a statement that it will accept dates for Fair Grounds at a scheduled meeting next Tuesday of the Louisiana Racing Commission, though the track did not specify exact dates. The response also did not specify what changes may be made to the meet, or why Churchill decided to seek the dates after signaling last week that it would surrender its licenses to Fair Grounds and its OTBs.
"We remain committed to collaboration with stakeholders in pursuit of positive outcomes for the horse racing industry in Louisiana and look forward to continuing to move forward,” the statement said. “Our focus is firmly on the future.”
Several Louisiana racing officials said over the past 24 hours that Churchill had reached a deal with the state’s horsemen on a Fair Grounds meet, but those officials described the deal as tentative. The Churchill statement said that a deal had been reached with the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and that the company’s discussions with horsemen had been “productive.”
Churchill threatened to surrender its licenses last Monday in a letter signed by the company’s chief executive, Bill Carstanjen, that was sent to the racing commission and various government officials. The letter cited dissatisfaction with the impact of a recent Supreme Court ruling on the company’s operations in Louisiana and the “unwillingness” of the legislature to address the ruling.
The Supreme Court ruling invalidated the use of historical horse racing machines at Churchill’s OTBs without local approval. Churchill replaced its video-poker machines at its 13 OTBs surrounding New Orleans with the HHR devices in 2023, shortly after purchasing an HHR manufacturer and operator. Churchill has said that the HHR devices are more profitable than video-poker machines.
A casino at Fair Grounds contains slot machines, and the ruling did not impact either slot machines or video-poker machines.
Last Thursday, the state legislature amended a minor bill on the final day of its session that designated the Fair Grounds property as a “protected historic site,” placing limitations on the use of the property without legislative approval. It’s expected the bill will be vetoed by Landry as a result of the discussions, according to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
In its statement, Churchill also cited discussions with State Sen. Cameron Henry, whose district includes the Fair Grounds property.
The statement said that details about the agreement and the 2025-26 meet would be provided at the Tuesday meeting of the commission.
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