With a first Fair Grounds crown in his crosshairs, Sharp leads Cox by three with five days to play

By Joe Kristufek —-

Training Title Going Down to the Wire

New Orleans, La (March 19, 2025) – With only five racing days remaining in the 2024-25 meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the race for leading trainer is still very much up for grabs. Entering Wednesday’s action, Joe Sharp holds a three-win lead over four-time Fair Grounds champ Brad Cox (32-29), but both trainers have many live chances throughout the rest of the week.

Sharp finished second in the Fair Grounds trainer standings four times, and on three of those occasions it was Cox who denied him the crown — ’16-17 (43-35), ’17-18 (53-49) & ’18-19 (53-49). In ’15-16, Sharp was the runner-up to Mike Stidham (38-36).

“I’ve got a chance (to win it) so I’m kind of obligated to go for it,” Sharp said. “I’ve got some horses that I need to save for Keeneland. The hard knockers need to do well to get us there.”
Here is a look at their remaining entrants for both Sharp and Cox…

Wednesday, March 19

Joe Sharp: Race 5- Bosun (9-2 ML), Race 6- Sierra November (3-1 ML) & Race 7- Gilded Ruler (7-2 ML).

Brad Cox: Race 6- Protocol (7-2 ML)

Thursday, March 20

Sharp: Race 5- Betty’s Dance (3-1 ML), Kissin Riches (7-2 ML) & Race 7- Front and Silver (7-2 ML)

Cox: None

Friday, March 21

Sharp: Race 4- Global Pride (8-5 ML), Race 6- Eye Dee Kay (7-2 ML) & Race 8- Flirting With Time (6-1 ML).

Cox: Race 5- Tickled Quist (7-2 ML), Race 7- Therdgoesonforever (7-2 ML)

Saturday, March 22

Sharp: Race 4- St. Armands Key (3-1 ML), Race 7- Acknowledge (8-1 ML), Race 8- Sabalenka (15-1 ML) – likely scratched WON on Tuesday, Strikingly Spun (15-1 ML) & Race 12- Furio (12-1 ML)

Cox: Race 1- Fugitive star (10-1 ML), Race 3- Shewontbudge (4-1 ML), Saucier (9-2 ML),
Race 9- Kinetic (10-1 ML), Bishops Bay (10-1 ML), Race 11- Good Cheer (4-5 ML) & Race 12- John Hancock (7-2 ML) & Instant Replay (6-1)

Sunday, March 23 (Morning Lines TBD):

Sharp: Race 1- Tribest, Race 3- Steady On, Ember, Race 5- I’m Mo Joke, Scattitude

Cox: Race 8- Stellify
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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.