Fair Grounds: Nominations for Road to the Derby Day Stakes

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Fair Grounds Releases Nominations for Road to the Derby Day Stakes Action

Hernandez Jr. and Graham Finalists for Prestigious Woolf Award

Louisiana Derby Poster Contest Submissions to Close on Jan. 15

New Orleans, La (Jan. 9, 2025) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots released nominations for the six pack of stakes scheduled for Jan. 18 on “Road to the Derby Day,” which includes the $250,000 Lecomte (G3) and the $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Silverbulletday. Prep races for the 151st Kentucky Derby and Oaks, respectively, each are the first in the series to offer 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers.

The 81st running of the Lecomte closed with 78 total nominees, including the early bird Louisiana Derby nominations who are eligible for each remaining local Derby prep race. Joe Sharp trains two of the five newest additions to the list, as both Tom Lambro’s Banks and Mike Repole’s Acknowledge are being considered for the 1 1/16 mile Lecomte. Each is proven at one mile.

Whit Beckman trains three of the 19 nominated for the 33rd running of the 1 mile 70 yards Silverbulletday. Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner, and Berkels0813’s Simply Joking is the most likely of the trio to enter, according to Beckman. In her debut effort, Simply Joking dueled down the stretch to gamely win the Letellier Memorial on “Road to the Derby Kickoff Day.” Barnmate Her Laugh, who racked up 10 Oaks points with her authoritative win in the Untapable for Grantly Acres, is back on the local worktab and her conditioner stated she is possible for the next local Oaks prep.

Winning trainer of the last two Silverbulletday Stakes, Brad Cox nominated two fillies. Gary and Mary West’s California Sunset exits a third-place finish in the Untapable. Juddmonte’s Chasten, a half to Idiomatic, won her debut going six furlongs on the “Stars of Tomorrow II” card at Churchill Downs.

One of 29 to be nominated for the 1 1/16 miles $175,000 Louisiana Stakes presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3), CRK Stable’s Skinner exits a win in the Native Dancer (G3). In his first local breeze since being transferred to Cherie DeVaux’s barn, the 5-year-old by Curlin covered four furlongs in 47 and 4, the fastest of 67 on December 31, 2024. In what would be his second start off the impressive comeback allowance win, Godolphin’s Maycocks Bay was nominated for the Louisiana. One of four nominees trained by Brad Cox include Wathnan Racing’s four-time graded stakes winner Hit Show

Nominations for the 1 1/16 miles on the turf $100,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley totaled 41, headlined by three who have earned over $1 million throughout their careers: Iapetus Racing and Diamond T Racing’s Gigante, last out victor of the Woodchopper; Andrew Stronach’s multiple graded stakes winner City Man; and Atone, the 2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) title holder, owned by Three Diamonds Farm.

The $100,000 Marie G. Krantz, filly and mare counterpart to the Bradley, closed with 32 nominations, led by Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher’s Blushing K.D. victress Stir Crazy.

Written for the turf at 5 1/2 furlongs, the $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner closed with 23 nominations, including Charles Marquis’ Richie Scherer Memorial winner Bear River.

Complete lists of the nominees for each stake along with past performances can be found on Equibase here: ​​https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaSNHW.cfm?trk=FG.

The “Road to the Derby Day” card will be drawn on Saturday, Jan. 11.

Hernandez Jr. and Graham Finalists for Prestigious Woolf Award

Finalists for the 76th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award have been announced and Brian Hernandez Jr. along with James Graham are among the five nominees. Two perennial top riders at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Hernandez Jr. and Graham are being recognized for their performance on and off the track. The Woolf Award honors riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

The 2025 winner will be announced in February and will become the 76th jockey to win the award dating to Gordon Glisson in 1950.

Louisiana Derby Poster Contest Submissions to Close on Jan. 15

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is now taking entries for the 112th Louisiana Derby Poster Contest. Grand prize wins $1,000, clubhouse admission for the LA Derby, their artwork displayed at the LA Derby, an insert in the racing program, and an acknowledgment in the Winner’s Circle the day of the LA Derby. Poster contest submissions will close on Jan. 15.

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.