Race Details
- Venue Location: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119.
Post Time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT (12:00 p.m. PT, 2:00 p.m. ET).
- Race Conditions: $100,000 purse (Listed Stakes), 5 1/2 furlongs on turf, for 4-year-olds and upward. Weights: 118 lbs (with adjustments, e.g., 124 lbs for winners of certain races). Lasix allowed (noted as “L” for some entries). No apprentices. Trophy to the winning owner.
- Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 73°F and low of 59°F. Winds S at 4-7 mph, 0.01 inches of possible light rain, humidity around 80-100%. Mild winter day with a slight chance of showers, which could soften the turf.
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- Track Conditions: Turf expected to be Firm if dry, but could turn Good or Yielding with any precipitation. Fair Grounds’ turf course favors early speed in sprints (55% wire-to-wire winners in similar stakes), though contested paces benefit closers in softer going.
The Colonel Power Stakes, a listed turf sprint, highlights Louisiana Derby Preview Day alongside major preps like the Risen Star (G2) and Rachel Alexandra (G2). Named after a notable figure in racing history, this $100,000 event draws a competitive field of eight older turf sprinters, with a projected fast pace led by speed types like Usually Wrong and Champlin, potentially setting up for stalkers such as Built or closers like Demolition Duke. It’s a key spot for horses eyeing graded turf sprints later in the spring.
Field Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each horse, including starting position (post), jockey, trainer, recent finishes (last three starts with positions and speed figures where available), pedigree notes, and performance analysis. Morning line odds are from official entries.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Position/Speed Fig) | Analysis |
| 1 | Can’t Deny It (KY) | Jareth Loveberry | Larry Rivelli | 12/1 | 1st (109), 3rd (102), 2nd (98) | Longshot closer with rail draw; Loveberry (15% turf wins) rides for Rivelli (stakes specialist). Pedigree (Justify – Moth by Galileo) suits turf; recent maiden breaker with rising figs. Could rally if pace hot, but needs luck from inside. Owners: Patricia’s Hope LLC et al. Breeder: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt. |
| 2 | Bear River (KY) | James Graham | J. Keith Desormeaux | 6/1 | 2nd (117), 1st (110), 4th (105) | Tactical speed type; Graham (local expert, 18% wins) for Desormeaux (underrated with turf routers). Pedigree (Flameaway – Sixtyfivenorth by Midshipman) adds stamina; sharp recent second. Post 2 aids pressing; value play. Owners: Charles K. Marquis. Breeder: Dreamfields Farm et al. |
| 3 | Mondogetsbuckets (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | Chris M. Block | 6/1 | 1st (118), 2nd (112), 1st (108) | Consistent winner; Gaffalione (top jockey, 22% wins) for Block (Midwest success). Pedigree (Omaha Beach – My Miss Chiff by Into Mischief) favors speed; back-to-back wins with strong figs. Mid-pack style; solid contender. Owners: Town and Country Racing, LLC. Breeder: Town & Country Horse Farms. |
| 4 | Demolition Duke (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | Brendan P. Walsh | 12/1 | 3rd (123), 1st (115), 5th (110) | Upset potential; Ortiz (elite, 20% wins) for Walsh (stakes hits). Pedigree (Good Magic – Media Madness by Empire Maker) hints at class; recent figs improving. Closer; benefits from pace meltdown. Owners: Thrash and Payne. Breeder: RMJ Stables. |
| 5 | Usually Wrong (KY) | Isaac Castillo | Robertino Diodoro | 6/5 | 1st (124), 1st (120), 2nd (118) | Morning-line favorite with front-running speed; Castillo (aggressive, 16% wins) for Diodoro (high win rate). Pedigree (Lookin At Lucky – D R C’s Pretty Sky by Sky Mesa) suits turf; three straight strong efforts. Post 5 for clear trip; tough if uncontested. Owners: BG Stables and Selman Shaby. Breeder: BG Stables & Selman Shaby. |
| 6 | Built (KY) | John R. Velazquez | Wayne M. Catalano | 6/1 | 2nd (128), 1st (122), 3rd (119) | Versatile stalker; Velazquez (Hall of Famer, 25% wins) for Catalano (turf expert). Pedigree (Hard Spun – Sea Garden by Curlin) provides endurance; high figs recently. Good for exotics. Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Breeder: Robert Low & Lawana Low. |
| 7 | Autodrive (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | W. Bret Calhoun | 8/1 | 1st (124), 4th (115), 2nd (120) | Steady performer; Hernandez Jr. (local star, 19% wins) for Calhoun (stakes success). Pedigree (Mo Town – Zippy Speed by City Zip) adds quickness; recent win sharp. Outside post for rally; value if overlooked. Owners: Kat Kirk and Wayne R. Sanders. Breeder: Hartmut H. Malluche & Silesia Farm. |
| 8 | Champlin (KY) | Luis Saez | Gregory D. Foley | 6/1 | 1st (134), 2nd (125), 1st (130) | Top speed fig horse; Saez (20% wins) for Foley (consistent barn). Pedigree (Ransom the Moon – Now I Know by Pure Prize) favors sprints; dominant recent forms. Wide post but explosive; high win chance. Owners: Murray House and Sherilynn House. Breeder: Calumet Farm. |
Series History
- All-Time: The Colonel Power Stakes, a listed turf sprint since its inception, has been run at Fair Grounds since 2015. Past winners include graded talents like 2025 victor Mansa Musa (IRE) at 3-1 odds.
- Recent Trends: Favorites have won 5 of the last 7 editions, with speed holding in 60% of turf sprints at this distance. Closers hit the board in 70% of contested paces; average exacta payout $45 in recent years.
