Race Details
- Venue Location: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119.
Post
Time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT (4:30 p.m. ET).
- Race Conditions: $100,000 purse, about 1 1/16 miles on turf, for fillies and mares 4 years old and upward. Listed Stakes. Weights: 124 lbs for non-winners of certain races, with allowances (e.g., 118-120 lbs for others). Lasix allowed (noted as “L”). No apprentices.
- Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 75°F and low of 62°F. Winds S at 5-10 mph, slight chance of patchy rain (0.05 inches possible), humidity around 80%. Mild winter day with potential for brief showers, which could impact the turf.
- Track Conditions: Turf expected to be Firm if dry, but could soften to Good with any precipitation. Fair Grounds’ turf course favors tactical speed in routes (50% winners from front half), with closers benefiting in softer going or contested paces.
The Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes honors the late trainer Albert M. Stall Sr., a Fair Grounds Hall of Famer known for his turf expertise. This $100,000 listed turf route for older females features a competitive field of nine, with a moderate pace projected led by speed types like Expensive Queen and Mo Expectations, potentially setting up for stalkers such as Oversubscribed or closers like Feather Boa. Part of Louisiana Derby Preview Day, it serves as a prep for graded turf stakes like the Jenny Wiley (G1) or similar events 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 Beyer speed figures where available), pedigree notes, and performance analysis. Morning line odds from official entries.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Position/Beyer Fig) | Analysis |
| 1 | Medoro (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | Peter Eurton | 9/5 | 1st (98), 2nd (95), 1st (92) | Morning-line favorite with class edge; Ortiz (20% wins) for Eurton (stakes success). Pedigree (Honor Code – Achira by English Channel) suits turf routes; dominant recent allowance win. Rail post aids stalking; high win probability (40% est.) if pace fair. Owners: C R K Stable. Breeder: Parks Investment Group, LLC. |
| 2 | Oversubscribed (GB) | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad C. Brown | 5/2 | 1st (100), 1st (97), 3rd (94) | Turf specialist in peak form; Gaffalione (22% wins) for Brown (turf expert, 28% win rate). Pedigree (Too Darn Hot – Zurigha by Cape Cross) adds stamina; back-to-back wins with top figs. Tactical speed; strong contender. Owners: Klaravich Stables, Inc. Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Limited. |
| 3 | Sweet Treasure (KY) | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | 6/1 | 2nd (96), 1st (93), 4th (90) | Consistent closer; Geroux (local star, 19% wins) for Cox (high win rate). Pedigree (Twirling Candy – Stellium by Empire Maker) hints at late kick; recent sharp second. Value in exotics. Owners: Full of Run Racing II and Frank Silva. Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation. |
| 4 | Expensive Queen (IRE) | Luis Saez | Brendan P. Walsh | 6/1 | 1st (95), 3rd (92), 1st (89) | Front-runner with upside; Saez (20% wins) for Walsh (stakes hits). Pedigree (Lope de Vega – Witches Brew by Duke of Marmalade) favors turf; recent allowance win. Post 4 for clear lead; upset potential. Owners: Farfellow Farms, Ltd. Breeder: Fermoir Ltd. |
| 5 | Lucky Speech (KY) | James Graham | Steven M. Asmussen | 20/1 | 4th (88), 2nd (85), 5th (82) | Longshot with rail speed bias; Graham (18% wins) for Asmussen (volume barn). Pedigree (Audible – Luckyallmylife by Lookin At Lucky) suits distance; board hitter. Needs pace help. Owners: Millennium Stables LLC. Breeder: Delia Nash & Jun Park. |
| 6 | Sophie’s Cruiser (KY) | Isaac Castillo | Brett A. Brinkman | 20/1 | 3rd (90), 1st (87), 4th (84) | Versatile mid-pack type; Castillo (16% wins) for Brinkman (local success). Pedigree (Catalina Cruiser – Causeway Carolyn by Giant’s Causeway) offers versatility; steady but needs step up. Owners: Sugarland Thoroughbreds, LLC. Breeder: Sugarland Thoroughbreds, LLC. |
| 7 | Mo Expectations (KY) | Axel Concepcion | Brad H. Cox | 8/1 | 1st (94), 2nd (91), 1st (88) | Improving filly; Concepcion (rising apprentice) for Cox again. Pedigree (Uncle Mo – Havisham by Bernardini) adds class; recent wins sharp. Good for exotics. Owners: Stonestreet Stables, LLC. Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC. |
| 8 | Feather Boa (SAF) | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 8/1 | 2nd (96), 3rd (93), 1st (90) | Veteran closer; Velazquez (Hall of Famer, 25% wins) for Pletcher (stakes specialist). Pedigree (Flower Alley – Osprey by Silvano) provides endurance; competitive figs. Outside post for rally. Owners: Team Valor International. Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein. |
| 9 | Cupids Crush (MN) | Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. | Hugh H. Robertson | 15/1 | 4th (89), 1st (86), 3rd (83) | Upset chance; Pedroza Jr. (15% wins) for Robertson (underrated). Pedigree (Cupid – Dazzlingsweetheart by Dazzling Falls) favors closers; recent allowance win. Wide draw but value. Owners: Xtreme Racing Stables, LLC. Breeder: Mary Von Seggern et al. |
Series History
- All-Time: The Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes, in its 20th running, has been a Fair Grounds staple since 2006, honoring trainer Albert Stall Sr. Notable winners include graded talents like 2025 victor Join the Dance at 8-1 odds.
- Recent Trends: Favorites have won 4 of the last 7 editions, with stalkers holding in 55% of turf routes at this distance. Closers board in 65% of contested paces; average exacta payout $50 in recent years.
