This Friday, thoroughbred racehorse owners from Alabama will be watching the Magic City Classic Stakes, a one-mile race on a dirt track for an $85,000 purse.
But it won't be taking place anywhere in the Yellowhammer State: it's being run at the New Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course.
The Birmingham Race Course hasn't hosted a thoroughbred race in 30 years, but horse breeders still hold out hope of reviving the sport here.
That hope was renewed last year, when Wind Creek Hospitality, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, acquired the Birmingham Race Course & Casino.
Wind Creek said in a release at the time of the sale that it plans to transform the Race Course "into a premier entertainment destination in the Southeast and will continue to offer parimutuel and historical horse racing games currently in operation."
The New Orleans race is held annually, with assistance from the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
The Alabama Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association describes itself as a nonprofit organization supporting "the growth of the state's racing and breeding industries while also working to protect the livelihoods of those who depend on the sport."
Last year, after the sale of the Birmingham Race Course was announced, association members spoke of hopes in bringing back horse racing. On the eve of the New Orleans race, the organization again made its pitch.
"We're hoping to eventually return live thoroughbred racing to Alabama," said Alabama Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association President David Harrington, "We have the infrastructure to do so, and many parts of Alabama's agricultural industry would benefit. Thoroughbred racing will add thousands of jobs and boost Alabama's economy."
The Birmingham Turf Club, as it was then known, welcomed more than 13,000 visitors on opening day, March 4, 1987.
Built for $85 million, the club had a seven-story grandstand seating 5,200, restaurants, lounges and private meeting areas. But it struggled from the beginning to draw the necessary crowds to work financially, and closed after 175 days, with investors losing about $50 million.
After reopening in fits and starts, it was bought in 1992 by Milton McGregor, with greyhound racing added. The last horse race took place in 1995. Dog racing ended in 2020.
Harrington did veterinary work for the Turf Club and Race Course, and conducted some consulting work several years ago for the track. He says the track could still support horses and the infrastructure remains in place for racing.
The Race Course currently offers simulcasts, and historical pari-mutuel betting machines, which use information from previously run races, allowing betters to pick the favorites or handicap for themselves.
Horse racing has been declining in recent years in the U.S., with the closure of more than 40 tracks since 2000. However, thoroughbred owners point to the recent renewal of racing in Kansas, Nebraska and Virginia.
A spokesperson for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians said an overture has been made.
"Birmingham Race Course has been approached about bringing back horse racing, but it has not been considered to date," said the statement.
Kent Gremmels is one of those keeping the Magic City Classic stakes alive in New Orleans. He and other members of the Alabama association said there are many reasons to believe a renewal of horse racing in Alabama would be beneficial to the state.
The number of foals in-state increased by at least 50% and looks to grow even more, Gremmels said.
"I love promoting Alabama thoroughbreds," Gremmels said. "The one thing that would make it better is being able to bring our horses home and do it in the state where we live."