FAIR GROUNDS: Louisiana Derby Draw Show Scheduled

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Louisiana Derby Draw Show Scheduled

Probables and Possibles for Louisiana Derby Day Stakes

March Special Events at Fair Grounds

New Orleans, La (March 10, 2024) – On Saturday, March 16 at 11:15 a.m. CT at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the field for the 111th running of the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) with starting gate assignments and morning line odds will be revealed during the Louisiana Derby Draw Show.

The Louisiana Derby Draw Show will take place in the paddock and be broadcast on Fair Grounds simulcast, YouTube, and X (@fairgroundsnola). Joe Kristufek and John Dooley will host and be joined by morning line oddsmaker Mike Diliberto & racing analyst Kevin Kilroy. Following the post-position draw, the connections on hand and members of the Fair Grounds management team will be available for interviews.

Nominations closed on Saturday for the Louisiana Derby and $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) presented by Fasig-Tipton at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and Longines Kentucky Oaks preps will be run on Saturday, March, 23, along with six other stakes on the Louisiana Derby Day card. The 1 3/16 miles Louisiana Derby and the 1 1/16 miles Fair Grounds Oaks mark the next stage for Derby and Oaks prep races as they offer 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points to the top five finishers.

Post positions for the entire March 23 card (noon CT first post) which also includes the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) presented by Relyne GI by Hagyard, the $300,000 Muniz Memorial (G2) presented by Horse Racing Nation, the $100,000 Tom Benson Stakes, the $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes, the $100,000 Crescent City Derby, and the $100,000 Crescent City Oaks will be drawn on Saturday, March 16.

Probables and Possibles for Louisiana Derby Day Stakes

Two weeks out from Louisiana Derby Day (March 23), the morning worktab at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has been heating up. Sharpening up for their shot at the combined stakes purse total of $2.65 million, here is a breakdown of local probables and possibles for the five open company stakes, together with trainer and details on recent drills.

$1 Million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2)

Probables:
Catching Freedom (Brad Cox) 5 furlongs 1:00.80 (9/22) on Saturday, March 9; Common Defense (Ken McPeek) 5 furlongs 1:00.80 (9/22) on Saturday, March 9; Real Men Violin (Ken McPeek) 5 furlongs 1:00.40 (5/22) on Saturday, March 9; Track Phantom (Steve Asmussen) 5 furlongs 1:02.60 (19/28) on Monday, March 4; Honor Marie (Whit Beckman) 5 furlongs 1:00.80 (4/34) on Sunday, March 10.

Possibles:
Nash (Brad Cox) 5 furlongs 1:00.00 (3/22) on Saturday, March 9; Hall of Fame (Steve Asmussen) 5 furlongs 1:02.60 (19/28) on Monday, March 4 ; Bee Dancer (Dallas Stewart) 4 furlongs 46.60 (1/115) on Monday, March 4; Lat Long (Ken McPeek) 5 furlongs 1:01.40 (16/22) on Saturday, March 9.

$400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2)

Probables
Tarifa (Brad Cox) 4 furlongs 49.00 (12/41) on Saturday, March 9; Intricate (Brendan Walsh) 4 furlongs 48.00 (2/73) Saturday, March 9; Our Pretty Woman (Steve Asmussen) 4 furlongs 49.40 (33/115) on Monday March 4.

Possibles

Alpine Princess (Brad Cox) 4 furlongs 49.00 (12/41) on Saturday, March 9; Band of Gold (Ken McPeek) 5 furlongs 1:01.20 (5/27) on Friday, March 8; Alys Beach (Tom Amoss) 5 furlongs 1:01.00 (6/33) on Thursday, March 7; Accommodate Eva (Dallas Stewart) 3 furlongs 36.00 (1/10) on Saturday, March 9; Thorpedo Anna (Ken McPeek) 4 furlongs 48.60 (22/110) on Sunday, March 10; V V’s Dream (Ken McPeek) 4 furlongs 48.20 (7/110) on Sunday, March 10.

$500,000 New Orleans Classic Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G2)

Probables

Money Supply (Joe Sharp) 5 furlongs 1:01.20 (5/27) on Friday, March 8; Happy American (Neil Pessin) 5 furlongs 1:03.00 (26/33) on Thursday, March 7.

Possibles

First Mission (Brad Cox) 5 furlongs 1:00.00 (3/22) on Thursday, March 7; Best Actor (Brad Cox) 5 furlongs 1:00.60 (7/22 ) on Saturday, March 9; Red Route One (Steve Asmussen) 5 furlongs 1:01.40 (13/34) on Monday, March 3; Kupuna (Bret Calhoun) 4 furlongs 48.80 (16/115) on Tuesday, March 4; Velocitor (Gary Scherer) 5 furlongs 1:01.00 (8/34) on Sunday, March 10; Five Star General (Grant Forster) 4 furlongs 50.20 (41/73) on Friday, March 8.

$300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2)

Probables

Beatbox (Cherie DeVaux) 4 furlongs 48.20 (7/110) on Sunday, March 10; Rising Empire (Brendan Walsh) 4 furlongs 49.00 (23/115) on Monday March 4; Johny’s Fireball (Norm Casse) 5 furlongs 1:00.60 (3/34) on Sunday, March 10.

Possibles
Palazzi (Mark Casse) 5 furlongs 1:01.60 (17/34) on Sunday, March 3; Strong Quality (Mark Casse) 4 furlongs 49.20 (17/75) on Sunday, March 3; Gigante (Steve Asmussen) 5 furlongs 1:01.40 (13/34) on Sunday, March 10; Harlan Estate (Whit Beckman) 4 furlongs 50.80 (55/73) on Friday, March 8.

$150,000 Tom Benson Memorial

Probables

Freydis the Red (Ken McPeek) 4 furlongs 49.40 (57/110) on Sunday, March 10.

Possibles

Sultry Lass (Michelle Lovell) 4 furlongs 50.00 (35/73) on Friday, March 8; Tryinmyheartout (Shane Wilson) 4 furlongs 47.80 (4/72) on Thursday, March 7; Tufani (Michael Stidham) 5 furlongs 1:00.60 (2/33) on Thursday, March 7; Not So Close (Norm Casse) 5 furlongs 1:01.00 (8/34) on Sunday, March 10; Oeuvre (Chris Block) 5 furlongs 1:00.00 (1/34) on Sunday, March 10; Join the Dance (Dallas Stewart) 3 furlongs 37.40 (11/27) on Monday March 4; Girl Named Charlie (Lindsay Schultz) 4 furlongs 50.40 (79/115) on Monday March 4.

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.