2/2/10
Last updated: 2/1/10 2:55 PM
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The Louisiana Derby logo was inspired by the historic track’s coat of arms
(Courtesy of Fair Grounds) |
Official event logos for the 97th Louisiana Derby (G2) and the 43rd
Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) were released Monday by Fair Grounds. Horses are
prominently featured in both designs, which present contemporary takes
on themes inspired by the tradition and history of each race.
The Louisiana Derby logo — inspired by the longtime Fair Grounds
coat of arms that was adopted as the first logo for the Mardi Gras Krewe
of Endymion — depicts a pair of silhouetted rearing horses flanking a
crest adorned with a fleur de lis and topped by a crown.
The history of Endymion is deeply intertwined with that of the Fair
Grounds. In 1963, Ed Muniz, who grew up in the shadow of the track, had
narrowed the possibilities for his new krewe’s moniker to two
mythological figures, Endymion and Bacchus. When George Widener’s horse
Endymion won that year’s New Orleans H. with Jimmy Nichols aboard, that
settled it for Muniz. For its first 10 years, Endymion began its parade
at De Saix Boulevard and Trafalgar Street, just beyond the Fair Grounds
stable area.
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The Fair Grounds Oaks logo accentuates the feminine for a race restricted to
fillies with the outline of an athletic horse’s head in light, flowing pink
strokes.
The Louisiana Derby will be run March 27 and the Fair Grounds Oaks will be
run one day prior to that, on March 26.
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The Oaks logo reflects the feminine nature of its participants
(Courtesy of Fair Grounds) |
“These new event logos are part of an overall strategy that will place our
premier three-year-old races at the heart of day-long and week-long celebrations
of horse racing in New Orleans,” Fair Grounds President Austin Miller said. “The
logos will serve as a visual representation of what these racedays offer — the
premier final prep races for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), as
well as two of the best afternoons to experience live racing at Fair Grounds,
with extraordinary food and fun.”
The $750,000 Louisiana Derby at 1 1/8 miles serves as an important final prep
race for three-year-olds pointing to the Kentucky Derby five weeks later.
Louisiana Derby winners Black Gold (1924) and Grindstone (1996) went on to win
the Kentucky Derby, as did Louisiana Derby runner-up Funny Cide (2003).
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The $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks at 1 1/16 miles serves as an important final
prep race for three-year-old fillies pointing to the Kentucky Oaks five weeks
later. Four of the last five winners of the Fair Grounds Oaks have gone on to
win the Kentucky Oaks (Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, Proud Spell, Summerly
and Ashado; the Fair Grounds Oaks was not run in 2006).
