NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, December 5, 2009) – Trainer Bret Calhoun and owner Angus Lind will meet with fans at a free Horse Ownership Seminar hosted by Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m. The event will take place along the grandstand apron, just outside the Derby Building and the new Horsemen’s Relations office.

“Many fans don’t realize how easy it can be to get involved with owning racehorses,” said Fair Grounds vice president and general manager of racing Eric Halstrom. “A competitive racehorse at Fair Grounds can be bought for as little as $5,000, and you can get as many partners as you want to share the cost.”

The purchase of a racehorse is a private transaction that does not involve the racetrack. Nonetheless, “Fair Grounds wants to do whatever we can to help those who are interested make the jump from fan to participant. It is a completely different way to experience the thrill of racing,” Halstrom said.

The Horse Ownership Seminar also will include time for questions with representatives from the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Coffee and donuts will be provided courtesy of Fair Grounds. Participants who stay for that afternoon’s races will be invited into the winner’s circle photo after the first race.

Calhoun, a Fair Grounds regular, was the fourth-leading trainer in North America in 2008. The Texas native has trained such standouts as Cactus Ridge, Mr. Nightlinger and last month’s Thanksgiving Handicap winner Euroears. Calhoun has more than 1,400 career wins. His owners include country music star Toby Keith and current top-five Fair Grounds owner Carl Moore.

Lind is the former Times-Picayune columnist, recently retired after 32 years as a newspaperman in New Orleans. He is one of the primary partners in the Karnak Galactic Racing Stable, a syndicate that has won graded stakes races with trainer Tom Amoss.

For more information on the Horse Ownership Seminar, contact Sandra Salmen in the Fair Grounds Horsemen’s Relation Office at 504-948-1150 or .