Fair Grounds/New Orleans photo blog

Arrived in New Orleans Wednesday evening and spent Thursday afternoon at Fair Grounds. I'll be at the track all day Friday and Saturday, focusing upon Saturday’s 15-race card that features the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2).

And I’ll be taking as many photos as possible during the trip and will continue to update this blog daily.

A brief description is listed above each photo:

Saturday morning

Gun Runner in Post Parade

Field breaking in Louisiana Derby

Gun Runner leading field in midstretch

Deep stretch of Louisiana Derby

Gun Runner crossing wire

Gun Runner's trainer Steve Asmussen

Land Over Sea heading to Fair Grounds Oaks Post Parade

Land Over Sea rolling to an easy win

S'maverlous upsetting New Orleans H.

Take the Stand leading all the way in Muniz Memoral H.

Louisiana-bred millionaire Sunbean prior to winning Star Guitar Stakes

Gator Sausage/Sauteed Shrimp stand on Louisiana Derby Day

Fair Grounds Hall of Fame display

Fair Grounds History

Murals behind betting machines at Fair Grounds

Street Performers in French Quarter

Some interesting displays on street

More

Mural at Kingfish Restaurant

Mushroom Risotto at Kingfish

Beautiful Friday morning

Fair Grounds first turn

Post Parade for Friday's opener

#7 records convincing win for Tom Amoss & Jocelyn Gomez

Gomez walking back to jocks' room

Amoss in winner's circle - he hopes to return with Mo Tom after the Louisiana Derby

Duel Fool & Marcelino Pedroza heading for post parade

Duel Fool & Pedroza heading to winner's circle

#2 takes advantage of long Fair Grounds' stretch, overhauls #6 late

 Convincing maiden winner

Fair Grounds' Buglar Les Colonello

Louisiana-bred Star Guitar won 22 stakes & earned more than $1.7 million; a bar is named for him at Fair Grounds

Paddock View

A bust at the Napoleon House

Enjoyed some Vietnamese cousine at 9 Roses

So many of these frozen drink spots & should be avoided

But when in Rome...

Heading to the post for Thursday's opener over a sloppy track	Breaking from the starting gate Thursday
Runaway winner early on Thursday's card	Another romping performance
Much tighter finish	Fair Grounds paddock
Waiting for 1st round of oysters Wed evening at Bourbon House	Yes!
Next stop Royal House	Taste of New Orleans - Etouffee, Gumbo & Jambalaya
Jackson Square	Love the St. James crepe for breakfast here
The crepe!	Gas light museum
Gas lights from different eras...	...illuminate much of the French Quarter