Fair Grounds evacuated on Mardi Gras Day

Fair Grounds canceled after the 6TH race on Tuesday after a fire broke out in

the men's restroom on the east end of the second floor of the grandstand.

Upon arriving on the scene, New Orleans Fire Department officials requested

that the six-story, 217,000-square-foot grandstand/clubhouse facility be

evacuated, which led track officials to cancel the remainder of the card. A

crowd of 2,657 was on hand, in addition to approximately 400 employees.

Fire department officials received the alarm at 3:05 p.m. (CST), or three

minutes before post time of the 6TH race, according to Fifth District Chief

Jaime Lampard. Shortly after the 6TH race, the building was evacuated.

There were no injuries, and the damage was contained to the restroom.

The New Orleans track was scheduled to conduct 10 races on Mardi Gras Day,

including the featured $75,000 Mardi Gras S. for three-year-olds at about 7 1/2

furlongs on the turf. The Mardi Gras has been rescheduled for Monday.

All wagers on the final four races are refunds. Consolation Pick 3 wagers

were paid on tickets that were still alive and ending on the 7TH and 8TH races.

Tickets that correctly selected the first two legs of the Pick 6 received a

consolation payoff. The $7,149 carryover in the Pick 6 for Tuesday remains for

Friday's program, the next scheduled racing day.