Jazz Fest: music, food and crowds, lots of crowds. To help relieve packed Fair Grounds area parking, organizers have arranged for shuttles to run continuously from satellite locations to the festival. The buses will begin service at 10:30 a.m. Friday, and run for the entire event, city officials said.

Late jockey E.J. Perrodin, owner Ray Salmen and thoroughbred Star Guitar have seen their fair share of the winner’s circle. Tonight, their notable names find a place in the Fair Grounds Hall of Fame. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Fair Grounds hosts a reception in the Black and Gold Room for their impressive inductees.   

Bigantlers surprised the crowd and perhaps even his trainer on Sunday as he raced past the finish line for the win in the second race of the day. His victory garnered $228.80 for a $2.00 wager, the largest payout thus far in the 2012-2013 racing season, and an even larger payout than last year's surprise Louisiana Derby champion Hero of Order.

Whether you’re in the mood to dance, sing, or just enjoy some live theatre, there's somewhere to go from St. Claude to Oak Street.. On this day in 1932, Hattie Caraway became the United States’ first female senator, with a little help from Huey Long. Now, more Saturday events.

It may have been a rainy week at the track, but on Saturday night storm clouds part just in time for a night of exotic twilight racing.  After 6 pm, Louisiana’s finest thoroughbreds step aside to make way for their equus cousins and a flock of flightless birds.  A select group of jockeys will take to the gate with a zebra, a zedonk (hybrid between a donkey and a zebra) and an ostrich for a playful night of racing. 

The Fair Grounds already brought ostriches and camels onto the track this summer. Now, they’re including some exotic equines in the mix. Bring the whole family on January 12 for mascot races, more ostriches, and the latest addition—the South’s first live zebra race.

by Emma Boyce

In the spirit of Christmas, the sleek Louisiana thoroughbreds at the New Orleans Fair Grounds take a backseat to reindeer from noon to 4 pm, December 22.  While Dancer and Baby Rudy, the two arctic creatures chosen to represent Santa’s fleet, will serve as the focal point, children and adults can enjoy an entire day of fun activities, food, racing (not reindeer) and even a chance on Santa’s lap.

by Emma Boyce

Horseracing won't be the only compeitition in the mix at the Fair Grounds on Saturday. From 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, New Orleans will crown the best of the drinksligers in the 13th annual Best Bartender of New Orleans Contest.

by Emma Boyce

The Fair Grounds were in full celebration mode on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, as some of the best horses went head to head for the top spot in the winner’s circle. Check out the rundown below for the Thanksgiving Handicap, Mr. Sulu Stakes and the Woodchopper, three of the most exciting races this holiday weekend.  

by M.D. Dupuy & Jonas Griffin

Before visiting family or filling your faces with thanks this holiday, New Orleanians are given to head to the Fair Grounds to kick off the racing season. Like so many things in this town, its a welcome excuse to get all done up. Thursday's graceful equine competitors demand a certain elegance from those in the crowd, and fashion is an entrenched part of the Thanksgiving tradition. Hats are the name of the game, and NoDef talked to some expets to find out about flaunting the best topwear in town.