Business Editors/Sports Editors/Horse Racing Writers

NEW ORLEANS----Fair Grounds Race
Course concluded its 133rd season of racing, and its first under the
ownership of Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) ("CDI"),
today with its first increases in average all-sources and on-track
wagering in four years. Wagers made on track through Fair
Grounds advance deposit accounts are not included in on-track handle
numbers. Attendance at
Fair Grounds' 10 owned and operated off-track betting facilities in
southeast Louisiana increased 2. The average field size of 8.32 was up 0.
Fair Grounds matched an all-time best with nine graded races in
2004-05, including four Grade II events this month: the Louisiana
Derby, won by Gary and Mary West Stables Inc.
Fair Grounds Race Course, the nation's third-oldest Thoroughbred
racing facility, has been in operation since 1872.

tributes stables

On-track wagering totaled $18.7 million. Despite the short time frame, we have enjoyed a very
smooth transition into our newest operation and believe part of the
credit goes to our neighbors and the important partnerships we are
developing throughout the community.

newsfeed filling

Keep Texas Running is a grassroots coalition comprised of close to
9,500 individuals and organizations from the Texas horse and greyhound racing
communities , including the Austin Jockey Club, Corpus Christi Greyhound Track,
Gillespie County Fair, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Manor Downs, Retama
Park, Saddle Brook Park, Sam Houston Race Park, Texas Arabian Breeders
Association, Texas Greyhound Association, Texas Horsemen's Partnership, Texas
Paint Horse Association, Texas Quarter Horse Association, Texas Thoroughbred
Association and Valley Race Park.com , all of Elizabeth Christian + Associates Public
Relations, +1-512-472-9599, for Keep Texas Running.
"The changes to our schedule to create the major event days
generated a buzz around the facility from both employees and patrons
alike, and the numbers showed that both locally and at simulcast
facilities, the events were well received. "We look
forward to sharing specific details of our plan with our contiguous
neighbors and members of the greater New Orleans community.
Michael Gill won his first Fair Grounds owner's title with 43
victories, the most since the track began keeping owner statistics in
1991-92.5%
Total Wagering,
On Track $17,286,550 $18 ,161,344 +5.4%
Total Attendance 176,133 172,550 -2.

stables betting

97 million. The $600,000 Grade II Louisiana Derby
generated $2,972,213 million in wagering , most ever for a single Fair
Grounds race.
"With a successful meet behind us, our next objective is to put
the finishing touches on the slots facility proposal that we will
present next month to city leaders," continued Skehan. Asmussen, who had a national record 555 wins in 2004, again
leads the nation this year with 131.fairgroundsracecourse.

racing filling

On track, records were set for Derby Day attendance
(6,672) and for handle ($866,466) in the simulcast era.28 average and was the highest in four seasons .7%
Horses Per Race
(Thoroughbreds only) 8.

Harness racing is the sport of racing standardbred horses on oval tracks for purse money.

equestrian partnerships

Fair Grounds Concludes 133rd Season With Handle Increases

5 million, total purses of $1.

Fifth consecutive training title for Steve Asmussen, who again
leads the nation in wins.

sulky pulled

keeptexasrunning.6-percent increase over last year's average of
$3.5 million.

First owner's title for Michael Gill, who also is the national
leader in wins.

memorabilia facto

That represented a 5.4 percent below last
year's average of 2,202.

A record-tying nine graded stakes races, including all four
major March races at Grade II status (New Orleans Handicap,
Fair Grounds Oaks, Louisiana Derby, Mervin H.

tributes entries

Last season's total purse distribution was $20. Revenues generated by an
on-track slots facility will help us grow Fair Grounds' purse program ,
attract more horses to compete here, and make Fair Grounds racing an
even more attractive product in the important simulcast market. Like Asmussen, Gill led the nation's owners in wins last year
with 487 and is atop the list again in 2005 with 111.

sulky renewed

12 produced an
all-sources handle of $8,454,437 , third highest in Fair Grounds
history and a record for a 10-race card. 11.9 million, an average of $267,784
per day, for an increase of 3. The lone winner of two graded stakes at the meet, Summerly
was voted Horse of the Meeting in a poll of media and racing
officials.7
million).

stables tributes

"
Total purse distribution was $21. Wagering,
On Track $216,082 $221,481 +2.

sulky standardbred

5
percent above last year's average of $216,082.
The highlight of the 2004-05 season was Louisiana Derby Day on
March 12, in which a record $11,310,990 was wagered on an 11-race card
that was the richest in Louisiana racing history and included four
stakes worth $1. Memorial Handicap , won by Dolphus Morrison's Rapid
Proof, and the Fair Grounds Oaks, captured by Winchell Thoroughbreds '
Summerly.32 +0.

Louisiana Derby Day was richest day in Louisiana racing
history (4 stakes worth $1.

horsemen entries

18 million per day, was wagered on Fair Grounds races, versus a
total of $317.
Additionally, Louisiana Derby Preview Day on Feb. Located in New
Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated and
also operates 10 off-track betting parlors in southeast Louisiana. Muniz Jr.

The driver of the horse sits in a specially designed cart called a sulky that is pulled by the horse.

racetracks harness

com . "We are very encouraged by the results of Fair
Grounds' first race meet under CDI management," said Skehan, "and we
look forward to additional opportunities for growth once our new
alternative gaming facility comes online.

memorabilia equestrian

For more information about the Texas racing
industry , log on to http://www.com , or Katherine Goff, mobile, +1-512-507-6434, or
KGoff@echristianpr.1 million wagered during the 80-day meet in 2003-04.3 million. 15 along with
the traditional early-season staples , Opening Day on Thanksgiving and
the 14th annual Louisiana Champions Day on Dec.5 percent
over last season's 8.
Memorial Handicap) for the fifth straight year.

For an introductions to harness racing and the standardbred horse, please see the links at the top of the category.

purse tributes

CONTACT: Laurie Parker, mobile, +1-512-423-8857, or
LParker@echristianpr.com , or Elizabeth Christian ,
EChristian@echristianpr. Attendance grew 74 percent on those days, with a
98-percent increase in on-track handle and 77-percent growth in
all-sources handle.

Single-day ($11.3 million ) and single-race ($2.

pulled handicapping

Spokespeople Available for Pro-VLT Commentary

2 percent over last year's $259 ,641
average. We look
forward to working with the community on a plan that creates economic
opportunity for the city and its residents - and that preserves Fair
Grounds' status as one of the most storied and respected racing venues
in the country. Albarado, who also tied his record for
stakes wins set last year with 13, reached the 100-win mark for the
seventh time.1%
Daily Average
Attendance ,
On Track 2,202 2,104 -4.5%
Total Horses
Postward 6,589 6,818 +3.

Seventh straight year Fair Grounds has paid $20 million or
more and averaged better than $250,000 per day in purses.

equestrian racing

In the 82-day meet , a total of $343.
The concept of major event days introduced this season by new Fair
Grounds president and general manager Randall Soth proved to be
successful.'s High Limit; the New
Orleans Handicap , won by Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Badge of Silver; the
Mervin H.com

2004 -05 Final Statistics

2003-2004 2004-05 Change
(80 days) (82 days)

Daily Avg.2%
Daily Avg.5%

Milestones/Notes of Interest

Increases in on-track and all-sources wagering for the first
time in four years.

Sixth riding title in eight years for jockey Robby Albarado,
tying a modern Fair Grounds record for titles.

Highest number of average starters per race since the 2000-01
season.

Please check in frequently and tell us how you like this renewed section.

sulky matchmaker

Averages are used for comparisons because the 2003-04
meet spanned two fewer racing days.
The average daily attendance of 2,104 was 4.

racetracks introductions

8 percent to 1,472 per day.
Fair Grounds increased overnight purses by 12 percent for the final 12
days of the meet. Muniz Jr.9 million)
all-sources handle records on Louisiana Derby Day March 12.

handicapping introductions

As the debate over gambling in Texas continues in the 79th Legislature ,
local and regional proponents of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) from Keep
Texas Running, including: horse breeders/owners, Texas race track operators,
greyhound breeders/owners, and economic experts are available for industry
background and/or interviews. Besides Derby Day and Preview Day, Fair Grounds also
played host to "Road to the Derby" Kickoff Day on Jan."
On the track, jockey Robby Albarado won 101 races for his sixth
Fair Grounds riding title in eight years, matching Ronald Ardoin 's
modern Fair Grounds record.
Steve Asmussen won 67 races to capture his fifth consecutive Fair
Grounds trainers' title, the longest such streak since Jack Van Berg
won the first six of his record 10 Fair Grounds training titles from
1966-71.
Information about Fair Grounds can be found on the Internet at
www.0%
Daily Average
Purse Distribution $259,641 $267,784 +3.

We are currently creating the structure and filling all the subcategories.

purse handicapping

The decline can be attributed to two factors:
a policy change that allowed children under 12 to be admitted free and
not included in the attendance count, and three additional weekdays on
the schedule and a 7-percent drop in weekday attendance.
Based on comparative numbers, those five days were very popular
with patrons. Skehan, CDI's executive vice president and chief
operating officer, said the season 's results were a sign of even
better things to come.

The charter of this category is to become the 'de facto' directory for harness racing on the net by the end of 2000.

facto renewed

1 million, or $221,481 per day, 2. "With the
sale not being completed until six weeks before Opening Day, we had to
go on the fast track to complete the preparations, but our staff
stepped up to allow for a smooth transition and make sure this season
was a success. We could not be more pleased with the reception we
have received to date, the many positive dialogues we've had with our
neighbors and community leaders , and the helpful feedback they have
already given us. Wagering,
All Sources $3,963 ,472 $4,184,980 +5.1%
Total Purse
Distribution $20,771,245 $21,958,260 +5.

Harness racing at this site is divided into the following categories:
- Associations
- Directories and Links
- Events
- Forums
- Handicapping
- History and Memorabilia
- Live Racing
- News and Publications
- Off-Track Betting
- Partnerships and Sales
- Racetracks
- Racing Information
- Stables
- Virtual Racing

equestrian newsfeed

1 million, or an average of
$4.
Andrew G.6%
Total Wagering,
All Sources $317,077,748 $343,168,377 +8.

matchmaker racing

Total on-track wagering
in 2003-04 was $17.
"This has been a very satisfying season ," Soth said.28 8.