More Than Looks Returns Saturday in Fair Grounds Turf Allowance

By Kevin Kilroy —-

More Than Looks Returns Saturday in Fair Grounds Turf Allowance

· Curtis To Remain Stateside

· March Special Events at Fair Grounds

New Orleans, La (March 6, 2024) – Victory Racing Partners’ More Than Looks headlines a field of eight stakes-caliber older males entered in Saturday’s $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots. Slated as race 7, post time for the about one mile turf contest is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. CT. The portable rail will be placed at 21 feet.

Finishing sixth last out in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), but only two lengths back, More Than Looks came from the back of the pack to offer a late bid and earn a 96 Brisnet Speed figure. The 4-year-old trained by Cherie DeVaux followed up his win in the Manilla (G3) last summer with a third-place finish in the Hall of Fame (G2) and a score in the Jefferson Cup–all at one-mile on the grass. Brian Hernandez Jr. will leg up on the 7-5 morning line favorite More Than Looks for the first time.

Four of More Than Looks’ rivals on Saturday are exiting stakes efforts, including Hayes Strike (David Cohen., Ken McPeek, 12-1), Chasing the Crown (Rey Gutierrez, Mike Maker, 5-2), Silent Poet (C.J. Mcmahon, Tanner Tracy, 5-1), and English Tavern (Jaime Torrres, Michelle Lovell, 15-1).

The older males will warm up the Stall-Wilson turf course for the 3-year-old fillies, as the 9-5 favorite Pink Polkadots puts her perfect record on the line against nine rivals in the $100,000 Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe Memorial, scheduled as race 9 (4:45 p.m. CT).

Curtis To Remain Stateside

Agent Ron Faucheux reports that after Fair Grounds’ 152nd meet is over, jockey Ben Curtis will be staying stateside. The 34-year-old native of Ireland, who is currently putting the finishing touches on his first U.S. meet, will head to Keeneland for the Spring. Then plans are to head East for a stint at Delaware Park before joining the colony at Colonial Downs.

Curtis began riding in 2006, crossed the Irish Sea in 2014 and since 2018 has figured prominently in the British flat jockeys’ championships, piloting over 1,000 winners in England alone. Through March 3 at Fair Grounds, he has taken 199 calls, winning with 32 for a 16% strike rate and a $1.86 ROI. With an All Weather Championship to his name, Curtis’ skills have translated well to the main track, winning with 19 of his 113 dirt mounts (17%).

Torres is Kentucky-bound

Fair Grounds newcomer Jaime Torres will return to Kentucky at the conclusion of the current meet. Agent Liz Morris will keep Torres’ book, and she stated he will tackle Keeneland’s Spring Meet before heading to Churchill Downs.

The 2023 Apprentice Jockey Eclipse Awards Finalist began his career at Gulfstream Park in 2022 before moving his tack to the NYRA circuit and putting his name on the map. Tied for fourth in the Fair Grounds jockey standings through March 3, Torres has racked up 34 wins from 228 mounts (15%).

March Special Events at Fair Grounds

Louisiana Derby Golf Tournament: On Monday, March 11 join members of the Fair Grounds racetrack community on the links for the Louisiana Derby Golf Tournament. Proceeds will benefit the Fair Grounds’ backstretch community. Door prizes will be available in addition to a raffle. Vendor partnerships are also available. Vendors, players, and partners should contact Stacy Repath via email or phone at (504) 312-8721 for more information.

Starlight Racing: On March 15, Starlight Racing is back at Fair Grounds with a 5pm first post. The Pontchartrain Wrecks will perform in the Tent from 6-10PM & The Phunky Monkeys will perform in the Clubhouse from 7-11PM. As always, General Admission is $10 and Clubhouse & Starlight Tent Admission is $25. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com

Louisiana Derby: The 111th $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) will be run on March 23.. Louisiana Derby Day will feature eight stakes worth $2.65 million including the Fair Grounds Oaks presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2), the New Orleans Classic Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G2), and the Muniz Memorial presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2). First post is noon.

Breast Cancer Second Line Benefiting the Shantel Lanerie Foundation: March 24th will mark the 2nd annual Breast Cancer Survivor and Memorial Second Line. The second line will take place after the last race. Participants can register online at www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/racing-information/breast-cancer-survivor-memorial-second-line/ Adult $40; Kids $20

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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 16 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 152nd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 111th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 17, 2023 through March 24, 2024. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.