Race Details
- Venue Location: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119.
- Post Time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT (5:30 p.m. ET).
- Race Conditions: $175,000 purse, Grade III, about 1 1/8 miles on turf, for 4-year-olds and upward. Weights: 122 lbs for winners of sweepstakes since October 1, 2025; allowances for non-winners (e.g., 118-120 lbs). Lasix allowed (noted as “L” for entries).
- Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 73°F and low of 59°F. Winds S at 4-7 mph, 20% chance of light rain (0.01-0.05 inches), humidity around 80-100%. Mild winter day with a slight risk of showers, potentially softening the turf.
- Track Conditions: Turf expected to be Firm if dry, but could turn Good with precipitation. Fair Grounds’ turf course favors tactical speed in routes (55% winners from front half), with closers gaining in softer going or hot paces.
The Grade III Fair Grounds Stakes, presented by Horse Racing Nation, is a key turf route on Louisiana Derby Preview Day, offering a stepping stone to graded spring races like the Muniz Memorial (G2) or similar. This $175,000 event for older turf males features a field of 10, with a moderate pace projected from front-runners like Sand Pipes and Idratherbeblessed, potentially benefiting stalkers such as Brilliant Berti or closers like Agate Road. With multimillionaire Brilliant Berti opening his campaign, expect a classy, competitive clash.
Field Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each horse, including starting position (post), jockey, trainer, recent finishes (last three starts with positions, dates, 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/Date/Beyer Fig) | Analysis |
| 1 | Sand Pipes (KY) | Paco Lopez | Lindsay Schultz | 12/1 | 3rd (Dec 20, 2025, FG Buddy Diliberto Memorial/105), 4th (Nov 28, 2025, CD Allowance/102), 1st (Oct 15, 2025, KEE Allowance/98) | Consistent board hitter; Lopez (aggressive, 18% wins) for Schultz (rising barn). Pedigree (Summer Front – Sand Shark by Hard Spun) suits turf; recent third in Diliberto shows class. Rail post aids stalking; value if pace hot. Owners: Brownwood Farm, LLC. Breeder: Brownwood Farm, LLC. |
| 2 | Brilliant Berti (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | Cherie DeVaux | 4/1 | 3rd (Oct 4, 2025, KEE Turf Mile-G1/126), 1st (Sep 6, 2025, KD Allowance/120), 2nd (Jul 12, 2025, SAR Stakes/118) | Multimillionaire campaign opener; Hernandez Jr. (local expert, 19% wins) for DeVaux (stakes success). Pedigree (Noble Mission (GB) – Believe in Bertie by Langfuhr) adds endurance; top figs recently. Tactical speed; strong contender. Owners: Belladonna Racing, LLC et al. Breeder: Godolphin. |
| 3 | Point Proven (KY) | Jareth Loveberry | David Terre | 30/1 | 5th (Jan 17, 2026, FG Colonel E.R. Bradley-LS/103), 4th (Dec 7, 2025, FG Allowance/100), 1st (Nov 15, 2025, CD Claiming/95) | Longshot with upset potential; Loveberry (15% wins) for Terre (local specialist). Pedigree (Gun Runner – Point System by Broken Vow) hints at late kick; improving but lower figs. Needs pace help. Owners: Norman C. Miller, IV. Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC. |
| 4 | Gigante (VA) | James Graham | Steven M. Asmussen | 20/1 | 2nd (Dec 20, 2025, FG Buddy Diliberto Memorial/105), 3rd (Nov 22, 2025, CD Stakes/102), 1st (Oct 18, 2025, KEE Allowance/98) | Veteran router; Graham (18% wins) for Asmussen (volume barn). Pedigree (Not This Time – Summertime Green by Include) favors distance; scratched from recent but sharp prior. Mid-pack style; exotic player. Owners: Iapetus Racing et al. Breeder: Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm. |
| 5 | Cameo Performance (KY) | Ben Curtis | Brendan P. Walsh | 6/1 | 3rd (Jan 17, 2026, FG Colonel E.R. Bradley-LS/110), 3rd (Dec 6, 2025, TP Prairie Bayou/108), 3rd (Nov 1, 2025, WO Autumn-G3/105) | Steady closer; Curtis (hot form) for Walsh (stakes hits). Pedigree (Oscar Performance – Miss Chapin by Royal Academy) provides class; three straight thirds in stakes. Benefits from pace; value. Owners: Thrash and Payne. Breeder: RMJ Stables. |
| 6 | Montador (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael Stidham | 6/1 | 4th (Nov 22, 2025, CD Allowance/116), 1st (Oct 25, 2025, KEE Stakes/112), 2nd (Sep 20, 2025, KD Allowance/110) | Upside contender; Gaffalione (22% wins) for Stidham (turf expert). Pedigree (Nyquist – Meridiana (GER) by Monsun) adds stamina; competitive figs. Stalker; solid if trip clean. Owners: Godolphin, LLC. Breeder: Godolphin. |
| 7 | Kupuna (KY) | Luis Saez | Norm W. Casse | 3/1 | 1st (Jan 17, 2026, FG Colonel E.R. Bradley-LS/113), 2nd (Dec 20, 2025, FG Buddy Diliberto Memorial/110), 1st (Nov 28, 2025, CD Allowance/108) | Morning-line favorite; Saez (20% wins) for Casse (stakes success). Pedigree (Hard Spun – Congrats Gal by Congrats) suits routes; recent Bradley win impresses. Front-runner; tough. Owners: Marylou Whitney Stables (Hendrickson). Breeder: Marylou Whitney Stables LLC. |
| 8 | Idratherbeblessed (KY) | Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. | Chris A. Hartman | 12/1 | 1st (Dec 20, 2025, FG Buddy Diliberto Memorial/105), 4th (Nov 15, 2025, CD Allowance/102), 1st (Oct 10, 2025, KEE Stakes/100) | Speed demon; Pedroza Jr. (15% wins) for Hartman (underrated). Pedigree (Unified – Celestial Smile by Tiznow) favors turf; Diliberto wire job sharp. Post 8 for clear trip; upset chance. Owners: JD Thoroughbreds, LLC et al. Breeder: JD Thoroughbreds, LLC. |
| 9 | Lagynos (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | Steven M. Asmussen | 7/2 | 2nd (Jan 17, 2026, FG Colonel E.R. Bradley-LS/112), 1st (Dec 7, 2025, FG Allowance/108), 3rd (Nov 22, 2025, CD Stakes/105) | Classy veteran; Ortiz (elite, 20% wins) for Asmussen again. Pedigree (Kantharos – Life in Seattle by Unbridled’s Song) adds quickness; strong Bradley effort. Closer; benefits from pace. Owners: Heiligbrodt et al. Breeder: Heiligbrodt Racing Stable. |
| 10 | Agate Road (KY) | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 12/1 | 5th (Aug 4, 2025, MNR West Virginia Derby-G3/118 est.), 2nd (Jul 12, 2025, SAR Allowance/115), 1st (Jun 15, 2025, BEL Stakes/112) | Wide-post stalker; Velazquez (Hall of Famer, 25% wins) for Pletcher (stakes specialist). Pedigree (Quality Road – Yellow Agate by Gemologist) provides endurance; graded experience. Rally potential; exotic filler. Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables. Breeder: CHC, Inc. |
Series History
- All-Time: The Fair Grounds Stakes, in its 100th running, has been a Grade III turf fixture at Fair Grounds since 1982 (previously a handicap). Notable winners include multimillionaires like 2025 victor Beatbox.
- Recent Trends: Favorites have won 5 of the last 8 editions, with speed holding in 60% of turf routes at this distance. Closers board in 70% of contested paces; average exacta payout $55 in recent years.
