Louisiana Derby Preview Day Undercard Races are Stacked

By Joe Kristufek —-

Louisiana Derby Preview Day Undercard Races are Stacked

Big ticket items, classy pedigrees & top connections prominent in non-stakes events

New Orleans, La (Feb. 14, 2025) – The marquee events on Saturday’s Louisiana Derby Preview Day card at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots are undoubtedly the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star (G2) and the Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra – offering 50-25-15-10-5 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby & Oaks respectively.

Some of the top jockeys in the nation, including 2024 Eclipse Award winner Flavian Prat, Irad Ortiz, Jr., Tyler Gaffalione & Luis Saez, will invade New Orleans to join highly accomplished local riders Jose Ortiz, Brian Hernandez, Jr. and Florent Geroux, to name just a few.

The quartet of supporting stakes add additional strength to the 14-race card, but don’t sleep on the undercard maiden & allowance races run earlier on the card (first post noon CT) as intriguing horses and excellent wagering opportunities abound.

Be aware that a Pick Five wager has been ADDED to race 5. Below are the featured multi-race wagers on the Saturday card.

50-cent Pick Five (15% takeout) – begin in races 1, 5 (added, not listed) & 10 ($1 million estimated pool)
50-cent Pick Four – begin in races, 2, 4, 7 & 11
$1 Pick Six (15% takeout) – race 9 (no jackpot provision). Carryover =

Undercard (non-stakes) races

Race 1 – Maiden special weight, 3yo fillies at 5 ½ furlongs TURF (Pick Five)

Field size: 10 (1 MTO)
ML favorite: #6 Tempting Eve (Geroux/Hartman) 3-1

Race 2 — $100K/ALW 1x, 3yo fillies at 1 1/16 miles (Pick Four)

Field size: 5
ML favorite: #5 Golden Gamble (B. Hernandez, Jr./McPeek) 2-1
#1 Pretty Sassy is a half sister to Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous

Race 3 – Maiden special weight, Louisiana-bred, 3yo fillies at 1 mile (Pick Three)

Field size: 9
ML favorite: #8 Moonie Pie (Pedroza, Jr./David, Jr.) 5-2
#1 Canal St (McKenzie/You Laughin) sibling Zenden Grade 1 winner of the Golden Shaheen

Race 4 – Maiden special weight, 3yo fillies at 6 furlongs (Pick Four)

Field size: 9
ML favorite: #2 Atarah (Saez/Walden) 3-1
#3 Velvet Vortex is a half to Grade 1 winner Faiza & #5 Bundle ($1,150,000 Keeneland yearling purchase) is out of the Grade 1 winning dam Love and Pride

Race 5 – 1x ALW, 4yo & up, 1 mile TURF (Pick Five ADDED)

Field size: 12 (2 AE, 2 MTO)
ML favorite: #7 Sicilian Defense (J. Ortiz/DeVaux) 7-2

Race 6 – Maiden special weight, 3yo fillies at 6 furlongs (Pick Three)

Field size: 9
ML favorite: #1 Ahavah (J. Ortiz/DeVaux) 3-1 a half sister to G1 winner Vahva
#9 Justtakethecannoli is out of the Grade 1 winner Include Me Out

Race 7 – Maiden special weight, 3yo’s at 6 furlongs (Pick Four)

Field size: 10
ML favorite: #5 Kalahari Dreams (Concepcion/Bauer) 3-1
#3 Unique Mischief out of Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Unrivaled Belle making her a half sister to the multiple Grade 1 winner Unique Bella

Race 9 – Maiden Special Weight, 3yo’s at 1 1/16 miles ($1 Pick Six, no jackpot)

Field size: 9
ML favorite: #2 Cromwell (J. Ortiz/DeVaux) 3-1 who is a half brother to $2.3 million earner Arabian Knight.
#5 Yinzer (Twirling Candy/Rehearsed) was a $1 million FTS Aug ’23 purchase.

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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.