PICS: Dachshunds dash at the Fair Grounds 2020 Wiener Dog Race

Astro Hernandez (5) and Zoe (4) burst from the starting gate during the 3rd heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

PICS: Dachshunds dash at the Fair Grounds 2020 Wiener Dog Race

by Michael DeMocker | March 7, 2020

It was wiener take all as packs of dachshunds thundered down the track at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to determine which hot dog would overcome the long odds and be crowned this year’s fastest four-footed frank.

Yes, wiener dogs racing in slow motion is every bit as cute as you thought it would be ❤️🐶

📸@MichaelDeMocker pic.twitter.com/krvG8HMH4y

— Very Local New Orleans (@verylocalnola) March 7, 2020

While some competitors were motivated by a thirst for glory, most were enticed with snacks or squeaky toys during the four heats, run between the regular horse races, that determined which weenie would advance to the championship race. In the end, 2019 champion Andouille emerged victorious once again, winning a close finish by a nose.

Dachshunds burst from the starting gate during the 4th heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

2019 winner Andouille (8), who would eventually win the 2020 championship, blazes down the course during the 4th heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Savy Jay is hoisted aloft as the finalists are carried to the starting line for the 2020 championship race at the Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Beaux “Straight Outta Lakeview” Cooke eyes the competition while heading to the starting gate for the third heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

The competitors are prepared to be loaded into the starting gate for the 4th heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

(L to R) Fats, Howard, and Lollipop burst from the starting gate during the 4th heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Ella Grace sees a lot of butts ahead of her during the 4th heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

2019 winner Andouille (8), who would eventually win the 2020 championship, crosses the finish line during the 4th heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Lucy checks the wind speed while heading to the starting gate for the third heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Zoe (4) bursts from the starting gate during the 3rd heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Queen Esther heads to the finish line during the 3rd heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Milo Morel (9) is hoisted aloft while heading to the starting gate for the 4th heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Dachshunds thunder down the track during the 4th heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Eventual champion Andouille is chill while being carried to the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

The finalists get a last minute pup talk at the starting line for the 2020 championship race at the Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Lucy guts it out during the third heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

The finalists are carried to the starting line for the 2020 championship race at the Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Dachshunds burst from the starting gate during the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Marley Simone Baker (2) turns right out of the starting gates and heads to the stands during the third heat of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Nola Jean plays catch-up during the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Hot dogs, squeaky toys and other motivators await at the finish line of the 2020 championship race at the Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Mayhem at the finish line during the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Savy Jay flies down the track during the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Lucy is scooped up at the finish line during the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Runner-up Indiana Bones gets a selfie after the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Third-place finisher Sal (L) eyes runner-up Indiana Bones in the wiener’s circle after the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Andouille basks in the wiener’s circle after winning the championship race of Wiener Dog Racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

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Michael DeMocker

Michael DeMocker has been a photojournalist in New Orleans for over twenty years. He’s been the National Press Photographer Association’s Regional Photographer of the Year three times and loves photographing all things New Orleans. He lives Uptown with his wife, son, and two dogs of varying intelligence.