Fair Grounds: Honor Marie Posts First Breeze Since Travers

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Honor Marie Posts First Breeze Since Travers

East Avenue Drills Five Furlongs in Company

Fair Grounds Announces “Twilight Tailgate Racing” on Super Bowl Weekend

New Orleans, La (Jan. 23, 2025) – Having joined the backside at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in late December, last Friday Honor Marie put in his first comeback drill since running 8th in the 2024 Travers (G1). Trained by Whit Beckman, the 4-year-old came out to the track around 7:45 a.m., shortly after the first harrow break. Honor Marie went an easy 3/8ths in 36 seconds flat with exercise rider T.C. Stevens aboard. The 3-furlong move was the quickest of 25.

“I’ll look to get (Honor Marie) back to the races in the spring, likely an allowance in March,” Beckman said. “Then we’ll make plans for the summer.”

Finishing 8th in Kentucky Derby 150, Honor Marie trained regularly and earned his qualifying points at Fair Grounds last year, most notably coming in second behind Catching Freedom in the Louisiana Derby (G2).

East Avenue Drills Five Furlongs in Company

Targeting the Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 15 for his first start as a 3-year-old, Godolphin’s East Avenue posted his third local work last Friday. Going fastest of 44 that morning, the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner breezed 5 furlongs in :59.40 immediately after the first harrow break around 7:40 a.m.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, East Avenue began the move two lengths behind stablemates Bruhn and Initialize, cruised by them mid-stretch without being asked, and finished up five lengths in front. Jockey Declan Cannon was up for the move.

“He moved by them so easily,” Cannon said. “He didn’t even blow. Those are two quality horses, but (East Avenue) is special. He couldn’t be doing any better.”

On Sunday East Avenue closed at 15-1in Kentucky Derby Future Pool #3, the third betting choice behind Barnes (6-1) and Patch Adams (12-1).

Live Racing Set to Resume on Friday, Jan. 24

Due to historic amounts of snowfall in New Orleans earlier this week, Thursday’s racing card was moved to Monday, Jan. 27 and will be run in its entirety. Live racing is set to resume on Friday, Jan. 24 with 8 races. First post will be 12:45 p.m. CT Friday through Monday.

Fair Grounds Announces “Twilight Tailgate Racing” on Super Bowl Weekend

With New Orleans serving as the host city for Super Bowl LIX, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will be joining the festivities by holding “Twilight Tailgate Racing” on Saturday, Feb. 8th. First post for the 8-race program will be 5 p.m. CT and all races will have a Superbowl theme. There will be a DJ in the Jamison Bar from 4 – 9 p.m. and The Wiseguys will be playing on the 4th floor in the Clubhouse from 8 – 11 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.fgno.com and through Ticketmaster.

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 153rd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 112th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 22, 2024 through March 23, 2025. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.