Louisiana Derby Early Bird Nominations Due Jan. 1

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Louisiana Derby Early Bird Nominations Due Jan. 1

New Orleans, La (Dec. 31, 2024) – Early Bird nominations for the 112th running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) are due Wednesday, Jan.1. The fee of $500 includes nomination to all three of the remaining Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots: the $250,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) on Jan. 18, the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) on Feb. 15, and the Louisiana Derby, March 22.

The nomination form can be found on Fair Grounds website here: https://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/racing-information/horsemen-information/#tab-319

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Nominations are due on Saturday, Jan. 4 for all six stakes scheduled on “Road to the Derby Day,” which will be held on Jan. 18. The program includes the $250,000 Lecomte (G3) and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes presented by Fasig-Tipton, both offering Kentucky Derby and Oaks points, as well as the $175,000 Louisiana Stakes presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3), the $100,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley presented by Horse Racing Nation, the $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial, and the $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner.

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Nominations have closed for the $100,000 Gary P. Palmisano Memorial and $100,000 Bob F. Wright Memorial. Both stakes written for Louisiana-breds will be run on Saturday, Jan. 11.

Twenty five older males were nominated to the Palmisano, which will be run at 6 furlongs across the main track. Foremost among them is Single Malt Stables’ Geaux Sugar, winner of both the Andrew Ney Memorial and the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint for trainer Keith Bourgeois.

The Wright saw 18 older fillies and mares nominated for the 6 furlong sprint, led by World War IV Racing and Rebel Tide Racing’s Six String, who won the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint for trainer Allen Landry.

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Special January Race Events

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will welcome in the New Year with a 9-race program on Wednesday, Jan. 1. First post is 12:45 p.m. CT

Jan. 11 is Exotic Animal Races Family Day at Fair Grounds. First post is 12:45 p.m. CT.

Jan. 18 is Road to the Derby Day at Fair Grounds. First post is noon CT.

Louisiana Derby poster contest submissions are currently open and will close on Jan. 15, 2025.

More information can be found here: https://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/racing-information/laderbypostercontest/

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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.

signature_2771751124 Kevin Kilroy

Racing Analyst/Notes Writer

Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Colonial Downs