Fair Grounds reduces purses for overnight races by 10%

Fair Grounds will reduce purses for overnight races by 10% because of the "unprecedented weather" during the meet, according to a text to horsement

The New Orleans track said the change will begin with Thursday entries for next Thursday's card.

Fair Grounds moved races off the turf 19 of its first 42 days in the meet, which began in November. Those cards included the track's road to the Derby kickoff day on Dec. 21, which featured the Gun Runner and Untapable, points races for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, and the road to the Derby day on Jan. 18, which included the Grade 3 Lecomte and Silverbulletday, also points races.

Though those races weren't on turf, some of the supporting stakes were scheduled for the grass, and the surface change led to scratches, which compromises handle.

The meet's two biggest days are yet to come, with the Louisiana Derby preview day on Feb. 15, featuring the Risen Star (G2) and Rachel Alexandra, which are Kentucky Derby Oaks points preps, and Louisiana Derby (G1) day on March 22, with the Fair Grounds Oaks also on the card.