Trials highlight opening of Fair Grounds Quarter Horse meet

Fair Grounds will jump right into its Quarter Horse meet on Saturday with 10 trials for its richest race of the season, the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Sale Futurity. The finale, which last year was worth $286,560, will close out the meet Sept. 5.

Fair Grounds has packed much into its 10-date meet. The trials have drawn 93 horses on a card that begins at 4 p.m. Central. Trainer Kenneth Roberts will have horses in eight of the 10 trials, while trainer Michael Taylor will be represented in seven of the trials.

The LQHBA Sale Futurity finale leads an eight-race stakes schedule. There are two stakes on Sunday, the $50,000 Treme and $50,000 Audubon. The 350-yard dashes are restricted to horses bred in Louisiana.

Fair Grounds is also putting on two events during the Quarter Horse meet. On Saturday and Sunday, food trucks will be at the track for the “Street Fare Derby.” It is sponsored in part by the LQHBA. Fair Grounds on Aug. 29 will put on an exhibition race for ostriches and one for camels.

Fair Grounds has made some management moves since its Thoroughbred meet closed in the spring. Jason Boulet has been promoted from racing secretary to senior director of racing. Bradley Bryant was recently promoted senior director of operations.

Fair Grounds is racing mostly on a Thursday through Saturday schedule.