Fair Grounds Race Course – New Orleans, Louisiana
$100,000 Guaranteed (includes $37,500 LTBA supplement) – 1 1/16 miles (turf) – For accredited Louisiana-bred 4-year-olds and upward
Scheduled Post Time: 3:35 PM CT (4:35 PM ET)
Fair Grounds Race Course is located at 1751 Gentilly Blvd in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Edward J. Johnston Memorial Stakes is the 46th running of this traditional mid-winter turf test honoring the longtime Louisiana horseman. It highlights Louisiana-bred older horses on a blockbuster Saturday card that also features the Red Camelia, Star Guitar, Black Gold, and Charged Cotton Stakes.
Expected Weather Conditions
Mild and pleasant late-February weather with highs in the mid-70s°F (75–78°F / 24–26°C) by post time. Skies mostly sunny to partly cloudy with light winds (5–10 mph from the south/southeast). Precipitation chance 10% or less (isolated brief shower possible but unlikely to impact the turf). Overnight lows in the mid-50s°F. Turf course is currently firm/good and should remain firm — ideal conditions for fast turf racing with no significant rain in the forecast.
Track Conditions: Main turf course (rail at 14 feet) – expected firm. Fair Grounds’ winter turf has played fair to slightly inside-favoring this meet, with stalkers and mid-pack runners excelling off honest early fractions. No extreme bias noted.
Full Field with Post Positions, Morning-Line Odds, Jockeys, Trainers, Weights:
| PP | Horse | Age/Sex | ML Odds | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Sippin On Gin | 5YO Gelding | 6/1 | 118 | Axel Concepcion | W. Bret Calhoun |
| 2 | Allnight Moonlight | 6YO Gelding | 3/1 | 124 | Timothy Thornton | Samuel Breaux |
| 3 | Cajun Mitole | 5YO Gelding | 5/1 | 118 | Isaac Castillo | Brett A. Brinkman |
| 4 | Good and Stout | 5YO Gelding | 20/1 | 118 | Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. | Carrol J. Castille |
| 5 | Wicked Secret | 5YO Gelding | 8/1 | 120 | Devin H. Magnon | Whitney J. Zeringue, Jr. |
| 6 | Fran’s Star | 6YO Gelding | 8/1 | 120 | Emanuel Nieves | Shane Wilson |
| 7 | Benoit | 6YO Gelding | 20/1 | 118 | James Graham | Joe O. Duhon |
| 8 | Letmikefigureitout | 6YO Gelding | 8/1 | 118 | Jansen Melancon | Alan Klanfer |
| 9 | Boss of All Bosses | 5YO Gelding | 8/1 | 120 | Ben Curtis | Michael J. Maker |
| 10 | Laser Clad | 5YO Gelding | 20/1 | 120 | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | Keith G. Bourgeois |
Detailed Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer:
PP 1 – Sippin On Gin (Mr. Money – …, 5YO Gelding, 6/1, 118 lbs, J: Axel Concepcion, T: W. Bret Calhoun)
Consistent Louisiana-bred closer who has hit the board in several recent optional-claiming and allowance races on turf at Fair Grounds. Concepcion (a meet leader) should have him saving ground from the rail. Calhoun is sharp with his home-state runners and loves cutting this one back to 1 1/16 miles. Live underneath horse at square odds; expect a late rally if the pace is honest.
PP 2 – Allnight Moonlight (Ransom the Moon – …, 6YO Gelding, 3/1, 124 lbs, J: Timothy Thornton, T: Samuel Breaux)
The clear morning-line favorite and defending champion (won the 2025 renewal by two lengths). He also took the Louisiana Champions Day Turf in December and has been dominant on the local turf this winter. Thornton knows him perfectly and will likely sit a stalking trip just off the pace. Breaux has the barn in top form. High weight is no concern for this class horse who loves the Fair Grounds turf. The one to beat.
PP 3 – Cajun Mitole (Mitole – …, 5YO Gelding, 5/1, 118 lbs, J: Isaac Castillo, T: Brett A. Brinkman)
Improving sort with blinkers added for the first time. He pressed the pace and held on well in his last allowance score here. Castillo retains the mount and should send him forward from post 3. Brinkman hits at a solid rate with his stakes runners at the meet. Tactical speed makes him dangerous in a field with limited early zip; live contender at 5/1.
PP 4 – Good and Stout (Coal Front – …, 5YO Gelding, 20/1, 118 lbs, J: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr., T: Carrol J. Castille)
Longshot with occasional big efforts but inconsistent at this level. Pedroza, Jr. is capable, but he’ll need a pace meltdown to factor. Best used in the superfecta only.
PP 5 – Wicked Secret (Mendelssohn – …, 5YO Gelding, 8/1, 120 lbs, J: Devin H. Magnon, T: Whitney J. Zeringue, Jr.)
Consistent placer who was a solid third in a recent stakes try here. Magnon knows the local turf well. Zeringue, Jr. barn is always dangerous in these restricted stakes. Mid-pack trip expected; solid exotic filler at 8/1.
PP 6 – Fran’s Star (Star Guitar – …, 6YO Gelding, 8/1, 120 lbs, J: Emanuel Nieves, T: Shane Wilson)
Veteran with multiple wins over the course and distance. Nieves will look to have him forwardly placed. Wilson knows Fair Grounds inside-out. Live longshot chance if he gets an easy lead; must respect at 8/1.
PP 7 – Benoit (Closing Argument – …, 6YO Gelding, 20/1, 118 lbs, J: James Graham, T: Joe O. Duhon)
Deep closer who can pick up pieces late but faces a tough task here. Graham is a veteran rider, but at 20/1 he’s best in the bottom of multis.
PP 8 – Letmikefigureitout (Daaher – …, 6YO Gelding, 8/1, 118 lbs, J: Jansen Melancon, T: Alan Klanfer)
Improving gelding with a strong recent optional-claiming win at the distance. Melancon should have him stalking from mid-pack. Klanfer hits occasional prices at the meet. Live at 8/1 with upside.
PP 9 – Boss of All Bosses (Street Boss – …, 5YO Gelding, 8/1, 120 lbs, J: Ben Curtis, T: Michael J. Maker)
Maker shipper with solid turf form elsewhere. Curtis is riding well. Outside post is fine for a stalker/closer. Dangerous exotic threat at 8/1.
PP 10 – Laser Clad (Mo Town – …, 5YO Gelding, 20/1, 120 lbs, J: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr., T: Keith G. Bourgeois)
Local veteran who can flash speed but is overmatched on paper. Hernandez, Jr. is a meet leader, but at 20/1 he’s a deep bomb.
Overall Outlook and Betting Angles:
This is a competitive Louisiana-bred turf stakes with a standout in Allnight Moonlight (#2), the defending champion in peak form. The pace should be moderate-to-honest with Fran’s Star (#6) and possibly Cajun Mitole (#3) involved early, setting it up for stalkers like Allnight Moonlight, Letmikefigureitout (#8), and Boss of All Bosses (#9). The turf is expected firm and fair, favoring tactical speed and mid-pack runners.
