Saints owner releases statement in support of Fair Grounds

Could the owner of the professional football and basketball teams in New Orleans add a racetrack to her billion-dollar empire?

The question was so frequently asked of Gayle Benson following news that Churchill Downs Inc. could relinquish its racing license that Greg Bensel, senior vice president of the Saints and Pelicans, issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

"To our knowledge, which is very limited relative to the operations of the Fair Grounds, it is not for sale," Bensel said in the statement. "(Mrs. Benson's) hope is that horse racing continues in New Orleans at the Fair Grounds and is prosperous and sustainable."

Benson owned the Saints and Pelicans with her husband Tom Benson and already was chief executive officer when assuming complete control of both franchises upon her husband's death in March 2018. She maintains G M B Racing Stable, which has started three runners in the Kentucky Derby, though the ownership has not had a starter in nearly two years.

"With the recent news generated by Churchill concerning (its) continued racing at Fair Grounds, we have had numerous calls regarding our interest in purchasing the (track)," the statement continued. "Mrs. Benson continues to support the horse-racing industry not only in Kentucky but also more importantly here in Louisiana. She has always maintained a great relationship with the leadership at Churchill and certainly has been monitoring this situation at the Fair Grounds."

In a letter dated June 9, Churchill CEO Bill Carstanjen told the Louisiana Racing Commission and state legislature that the Louisville-based company "is left with no choice" but to surrender its racing license at the next oversight board meeting, which commission executive director Stephen Landry told NOLA.com could be within the next 30 days.