On Sunday the City of Natchez Classic will return to the New Orleans Fair Grounds after a two-year absence.

The thoroughbred horse race, which began in 1996 and honors Natchez’s rich tradition in the sport, took a two-year hiatus after the horse track was purchased by Church Hill Downs in 2005. The Classic was then postponed another year after Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged New Orleans Fair Grounds.

Now the race is on.

“We are very excited. As of Friday afternoon, we have 19 tickets left,” Laura Godfrey said.

Godfrey said the tickets reserved for the race are for the club level, and can be purchased for $5 at the Natchez Ticket Shop in the Natchez Visitors’ Center. She said if the reserved tickets sell out, patrons may still attend the race by purchasing a tickets at the New Orleans Fair Grounds’ box office.

Among those attending the race, Godfrey said, will include Natchez Mayor Phillip West.

For more information about the race, call Terry Trovato at 601-442-1601 or Godfrey can be reached at 601-442-7103. For more information about the New Orleans Fair Grounds, visit www.fgno.com

“Anybody can come to the race,” Godfrey said. “If you need tickets, go to the visitors’ center.”