Fair Grounds & Slots will open for the 151st meet on Friday, November 18. Two race days begin at the nation’s third oldest racecourse and posting time will be 3 p.m. (all Central time zones) Monday. Friday and 1:15 p.m. Saturday. The inaugural weekend of the 80-day Thoroughbred meetup included the first six-stakes activity written for Louisiana hybrids, serving as preparations for Louisiana Championship Day on December 10.
The meeting will feature 65 shares worth a total of $8.5 million, an increase of more than $700,000 from last season. In partnership with the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the Horsemen’s Protection and Benevolence Association, the Fair Grounds racing office created 12 new stakes to be applied throughout the schedule, making it the program richest program ever offered in Louisiana.
Christmas is coming early for horseplayers as Fair Grounds has announced the offer will be reduced to 15% for Pick 5. Additionally, a non-jackpot Pick 6 $1, also with a low 15% payoff, has already arrived. added to the bet menu. Everyone will see the payouts light up the new tote board in the yard.
The Road to Kentucky Derby progression presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prep races continues to attract top connections. Starting with $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes (December 26) for a 2-year-old 1 1/16 miles, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) (January 21) stays the same distance, then is $400,000 in Risen Star Shares (G2) (February 19) extending to 1 1/8 mile. It all culminated in a 1 3/16 mile 1,000,000 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) (March 25).
Midnight Bourbon stops challengers to win LeComte Stakes at Fair Grounds
Much of the excitement surrounding the Derby prep races extends from the presence of longtime powerhouse coaches Steve Asmussen and Brad Cox, who will return in 2022-23. Dating back to 1994, Asmussen has won 1,081 races at the Fair Grounds, including last year’s Gun Runner, Risen Star and Louisiana Derby with epicentre and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) with Echo Zulu . North America’s all-time top coach, Asmussen’s historic 10,000th career win is likely to come in the meeting.
Race secretary Scott Jones said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming our riders back for our 151st season at this historic circuit. “Fair Grounds has proven to be one of the top winter racing destinations. Again last year the quality of the horses that have settled or passed through New Orleans made a huge impact in the field. top races across the country.”
Titan trainers Tom Amoss, Al Stall Jr., Bret Calhoun, Dallas Stewart, Greg Foley, and Michael Stidham all returned with barns filled with sizable Thoroughbreds.
A new addition to the back is Ken McPeek, who shipped happy smile and Rattle N Roll in preparation for last year’s Derby. With wins in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1), he’s still on the hunt for his first Kentucky Derby winner.
In addition to McPeek, the new barns include trainers John Ortiz, Brian Williamson and Mike Tomlinson. Robertino Diodoro will have a larger presence than last year, as will Norm Casse, and Chris Davis return after a year in Florida.
Race director Jason Boulet said: “The owners, the trainers, the racing team, the workers behind — there’s something special about Fair Grounds, extending from Louisiana’s equestrian heritage. “With new tote boards, growing wallets, premium connections and the best of Louisiana’s esteemed crossbreeding program, we’re excited for what’s available in store for the 151st year. ours.”
The second week of the race begins again on Thanksgiving, a well-known New Orleans tradition, with a noon start time on the card featuring the 98th run of the Classic Thanksgiving, last year. won first only can North America’s winning horse in 2021. His trainer Michelle Lovell will return after winning nine races by 21% last season.
Coming from successive titles of trainer and jockey, all connections will be aimed at Ron Faucheux and James Graham. Faucheux consistently excelled at the Fair Grounds, and recorded 283 local wins; the warehouse will definitely surpass 300 in this meeting. No active jockey has matched James Graham’s 1,283 career wins at the Fair Grounds, but there are three new but familiar additions to this year’s colony who have enjoyed their share of great success. their best.
Mandaloun and Florent Geroux beat Midnight Bourbon to win Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds
Famous pilot of gunman , single girl , Pizza man and the winner of the Kentucky Derby of 2021 Mandaloun , Florent Geroux returns to the Fair Grounds in search of a level 1 triumphant mount, traveling his next world. With two riding titles and a 22% career win rate at Fair Grounds, Geroux will be back looking to pick up where he left off in 2020-21.
Colonial newcomers include David Cohen, who rode last winter at Oaklawn Park. After a successful year of horseback riding in Kentucky, where he had his first very many call Tom Amoss, Edgar Morales moved his victory south, where he rode three horses that met in the stage. period 2017-20.
The 80-day Fair Grounds race season, 2022-23 runs through Sunday, March 26. Regular posting times will be 1:15 p.m., but first posting will be at noon earlier on Thanksgiving Day (November 24), Louisiana Championship Day (December 10), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (December 26), Road to the Derby Day presented by Hotel Monteleone (January 21), Louisiana Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Ford-Lincoln (February 18) and Louisiana Horse Racing Day (March 25).
A complete list of race dates and betting schedules can be found here.
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse Staff.
