Fair Grounds Race Course – New Orleans, Louisiana
$100,000 Guaranteed (includes $37,500 LTBA supplement) – 1 mile (turf) – For accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares 4 years old and upward
Scheduled Post Time: 12:45 PM CT (1:45 PM ET)
Fair Grounds Race Course is located at 1751 Gentilly Blvd in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Red Camelia Stakes is a traditional mid-winter turf test for Louisiana-bred distaffers and serves as a key local stakes on a blockbuster Saturday card that also features the Black Gold and Star Guitar Stakes.
Expected Weather Conditions
Mild and pleasant for late February with highs in the mid-70s°F (around 75–78°F / 24–26°C) by post time. Skies mostly sunny to partly cloudy with light winds (5–12 mph from the south/southeast). Precipitation chance 10–20% (isolated pop-up shower possible but unlikely to affect the turf). Overnight lows in the mid-50s°F. Turf course is currently listed as firm/good and should remain that way — no significant rain in the 48-hour forecast. Track temperatures ideal for turf racing.
Track Conditions: Main turf course (rail at 14 feet) – expected firm. Fair Grounds’ winter turf has played fair to slightly speed-favoring inside this meet, with stalkers and mid-pack runners getting their chance when early fractions are honest. No extreme bias noted in recent condition books.
Full Field with Post Positions, Morning-Line Odds, Jockeys, Trainers, Weights:
| PP | Horse | Age/Sex | ML Odds | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Highly Wicked | 6YO Mare | 5/2 | 117 | Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. | Sam B. David, Jr. |
| 2 | Kalil | 5YO Mare | 8/1 | 119 | Jareth Loveberry | Jeff Delhomme |
| 3 | Tommie G | 5YO Mare | 6/1 | 117 | Colby J. Hernandez | Patricia G. West |
| 4 | Saved by Grace | 5YO Mare | 12/1 | 117 | Kevin Roman | Juan A. Larrosa |
| 5 | Jus Press Star | 6YO Mare | 20/1 | 117 | Sofia Vives | Joe O. Duhon |
| 6 | Rising Inflation | 5YO Mare | 4/5 | 123 | Isaac Castillo | Jonathan Wong |
| 7 | Island Gold | 5YO Mare | 15/1 | 117 | Carlos Perez | Juan A. Larrosa |
Detailed Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer:
PP 1 – Highly Wicked (Wicked Strong – Highly Confused, 6YO Mare, 5/2, 117 lbs, J: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr., T: Sam B. David, Jr.)
Consistent Louisiana-bred with multiple stakes placings on turf. She was a game second in the 2025 edition of this race and comes off a solid allowance win here in January. Pedroza, Jr. (a meet leader) knows her well and should have her stalking from the rail. David, Jr. is sharp with his homebreds at Fair Grounds. The inside post is a plus on a firm course; she’ll be in the mix throughout. Strong exotic player at 5/2.
PP 2 – Kalil (Practical Joke – …, 5YO Mare, 8/1, 119 lbs, J: Jareth Loveberry, T: Jeff Delhomme)
Former claimer who has improved steadily for ex-NFL quarterback-turned-trainer Jeff Delhomme. She rallied for a convincing optional-claiming score at this distance last out. Loveberry is riding confidently at the meet. She has tactical speed and the ability to sit a perfect mid-pack trip. Live at 8/1 with upside in a small field.
PP 3 – Tommie G (Court Vision – Adrianne G, 5YO Mare, 6/1, 117 lbs, J: Colby J. Hernandez, T: Patricia G. West)
Veteran with a win over this course and distance earlier in the meet. She pressed the pace and held on gamely in her last stakes attempt. Hernandez retains the mount and should send her forward from post 3. West knows the Fair Grounds turf inside-out. Solid underneath horse at 6/1.
PP 4 – Saved by Grace (Star Guitar – …, 5YO Mare, 12/1, 117 lbs, J: Kevin Roman, T: Juan A. Larrosa)
Larrosa trainee with lower recent figures but a history of hitting the board in restricted stakes. She’ll be a closer and needs the pace to collapse. Roman is capable on the turf; best used in the superfecta at long odds.
PP 5 – Jus Press Star (Star Guitar – …, 6YO Mare, 20/1, 117 lbs, J: Sofia Vives, T: Joe O. Duhon)
Deep closer with occasional big efforts but inconsistent. Vives gives her a chance, but this is a tough spot. Longshot play only.
PP 6 – Rising Inflation (Mitole – …, 5YO Mare, 4/5, 123 lbs, J: Isaac Castillo, T: Jonathan Wong)
The clear morning-line favorite and most logical winner. She has been dominant this winter: back-to-back wins in allowance/optional company here, including a sharp score at a mile on turf with a career-best figure. Wong (hot barn) and Castillo (meet leader) team up again. She has tactical speed, loves the Fair Grounds turf, and carries the high weight like a good thing. The one to beat in a compact field.
PP 7 – Island Gold (Whence – …, 5YO Mare, 15/1, 117 lbs, J: Carlos Perez, T: Juan A. Larrosa)
Larrosa’s second entry and a consistent placer at this level. She’ll be forwardly placed from the outside. Perez knows her well. Live longshot chance to hit the board if the favorite gets pressured early.
Overall Outlook and Betting Angles:
This is a high-quality, small-field Louisiana-bred turf stakes with a standout in Rising Inflation (#6), who brings the best recent form, ideal post, and top connections. The pace should be moderate-to-honest with Tommie G (#3) and possibly Kalil (#2) involved early, setting it up perfectly for the favorite or stalkers like Highly Wicked (#1). The turf is expected firm and fair, favoring tactical speed inside-to-mid posts.
