Live racing returns to Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Thursday, Nov. 20, launching the 154th Thoroughbred racing season. The nation’s second-oldest racetrack will unveil a series of venue improvements aimed at enhancing the guest and racing experience.
“We are thrilled to welcome local faces, out-of-town visitors and the sport’s top trainers and jockeys to experience the newly enhanced Fair Grounds for our 154th racing season,” said Cathy Beeding, president and general manager of Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. “These enhancements reflect our commitment to providing guests, horsemen and fans with the best experience possible.”
Track upgrades include a renovated paddock, highlighted by a horse sculpture and coin fountain with proceeds benefiting equine rehabilitation charities; the new Ultra Lounge overlooking the paddock; an updated Tenacious Bar, refreshed with a more polished look and expanded views of the paddock; and Winner’s Circle upgrades to provide an improved backdrop for post-race photos and celebrations.
READ: Fair Grounds Meet to Move Forward After Dates Approved
Fair Grounds’ turf course, stakes schedule, and signature Road to the Derby series has again attracted leading trainers and jockeys from across the nation and Louisiana.
Returning trainers include last year’s meet leader Joe Sharp, as well as Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, Cherie DeVaux, Brendan Walsh, Kenny McPeek, Tom Amoss, Shane Wilson, Bret Calhoun, Al Stall Jr. and Mike Stidham. Emerging horsemen such as Whit Beckman, Lindsay Schultz, Brittany Russell, Rob Atras and Adrianne DeVaux will expand their presence on the backside, joined by new barns including Ethan West, Peter Eurton, Keri Brion and Jorge Duarte Jr.
They’ll compete alongside perennial standouts Eddie Kenneally, Dallas Stewart, Keith Desormeaux, Greg Foley, Grant Forster and Sam David Jr.
The jockey colony will once again feature Jose Ortiz, the 2024-2025 Fair Grounds leading rider and 2017 Eclipse Award winner, who tallied 97 victories in his first local meet. Returning riders include Jareth Loveberry, Ben Curtis, Axel Concepcion, Florent Geroux, Jaime Torres, James Graham, Declan Cannon, Mitchell Murrill, Marcelino Pedroza Jr. and C.J. McMahon, among others.
Louisiana native Brian Hernandez Jr., a longtime Fair Grounds mainstay sidelined since late September, is expected to return to action by opening day.
The 70-day meet will run through Sunday, March 22, highlighted by the Grade 2 $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby, centerpiece of Fair Grounds’ acclaimed Road to the Derby series. This season’s Road to the Derby program carries a total value of $1.875 million, with 57 stakes races offering a combined $8.75 million in purses. Two additional race dates may be added in March, pending recommendation from the Louisiana HBPA and approval by the Louisiana Racing Commission.
Purses for maiden special weight races have been set at $54,000, while allowance purses will range from $55,000 to $58,000.
(Editor’s Note: maiden purses were $52,000 at the end of the 2024-25 meet in March. Allowance purses were worth $53,000 and up.)
The Road to the Derby series begins with the $100,000 Gun Runner on Dec. 20 and the Grade 3 $250,000 Lecomte on Jan. 17, both run at 1 1/16 miles. The series continues with the Grade 2 $500,000 Risen Star on Feb. 14 at 1 1/8 miles, followed by the Grade 2 $1 million Louisiana Derby on March 21, contested at 1 3/16 miles for 3-year-olds.
Closing weekend of the 2025-26 meet will card 11 stakes, including the 101st running of the $500,000 New Orleans Classic presented by Hagyard (G2).
The upcoming racing season will feature a range of popular events for fans of all ages:
* Nov. 27, 12 p.m. — Thanksgiving at the Fair Grounds: The 101st Thanksgiving Classic features a full day of racing and dining.
* Dec. 6, 12:45 p.m. — Exotic Animal Races / Family Day: Camels, ostriches and zonkeys return for a fan-favorite event first introduced in 2012.
* Dec. 13, 12:45 p.m. — Louisiana Champions Day: Ten races, including seven stakes, highlight top Louisiana-bred horses on dirt and turf.
* Jan. 31, 12:45 p.m. — Exotic Animal Races / College Day: College students and families enjoy a return of the exotic races.
* Feb. 14, 12 p.m. — Louisiana Derby Preview Day and Breast Cancer Event: Two major Derby preps and a Breast Cancer Awareness event highlight the Valentine’s Day card.
* Feb. 28, 12:45 p.m. — Wiener Dog Races: Dachshunds compete in a 30-yard dash for $1,000 in prizes.
* March 14, 3 p.m. — Clash of the Colleges Twilight Races: Evening racing and live music close out a college-themed night.
Regular post time will be 12:45 p.m. CT, with an earlier noon post on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Dec. 20), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 17), Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 14) and Louisiana Derby Day (March 21).
Entries for opening day will be drawn on Thursday, Nov. 14. Condition Book No. 1 is available online.
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https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaDownloadAction.cfm?sn=CB-FG-20241122-20241208D
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
