Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, New Orleans, Louisiana
Venue Location: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119 (historic thoroughbred track hosting the 2025-2026 winter/spring meet).
Scheduled Post Time: 5:15 PM CT (final race on a nine-race stakes-filled card; first post 12:45 PM CT).
Distance/Surface: 1 mile on the main dirt track.
Purse: $100,000 (includes $50,000 LTBA Supplement); for accredited Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies. Weight: 122 lbs (maidens allowed 5 lbs). Limited to 12 starters; winners preferred, then highest lifetime earnings.
Track Conditions: Main dirt track expected to be fast. No rain in the extended forecast; recent dirt races at Fair Grounds have been consistently fast and bias-free.
Expected Weather Conditions: Sunny and mild for late February in New Orleans. Daytime high near 73°F, low around 60°F, light winds (5-10 mph), and 0% chance of precipitation. Perfect conditions for fast dirt times and a comfortable evening crowd—no weather bias expected.
This $100,000 restricted stakes honors Louisiana Broodmare of the Year Charged Cotton and highlights the depth of the state-bred 3-year-old filly division. The nine-horse field features a standout favorite seeking her third straight win, a sharp local allowance winner, and several live longshots from top barns. The one-turn mile should set up with moderate early pace, favoring tactical speed and stalkers who can finish strongly on fast dirt. Top contenders come from the Asmussen, Sharp, and Amoss barns, making this the marquee finale to a blockbuster Saturday.
Full Field with Post Positions, Analysis, Jockey/Trainer Notes, and Morning Line Odds
PP 1 – Fade to Gold (Bolt d’Oro – Short Iron)
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr.
Trainer: Thomas M. Amoss (perennial leading trainer at Fair Grounds with excellent record in restricted stakes).
Morning Line Odds: 6/1
Analysis: Maggi Moss color-bearer with solid recent form over this track. Broke maiden impressively at 6f here in late 2025, then posted a strong placing in an optional claimer stretching to a mile (speed figure ~87). Bolt d’Oro pedigree provides stamina for the route; inside post perfect for a ground-saving trip. Amoss/Pedroza combo wins these races often—live at the price as a logical underneath horse in exotics.
PP 2 – Tied the Knot (Lone Sailor – Wanna Snuggle)
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne (solid with Louisiana-bred fillies).
Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Analysis: Daniel Family Farms homebred coming off a competitive effort in allowance company at FG (last-race figure 92). Has shown tactical speed but needs to improve her late kick at the stakes level. Lone Sailor influence suggests she’ll handle the mile; Loveberry knows the local surface well. Best as a bomb for superfectas or multi-race wagers if the favorite falters.
PP 3 – Thrill Seeker (Cupid – Louie’s Backyard)
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Trainer: Joe Sharp (red-hot barn this meet with multiple stakes winners).
Morning Line Odds: 2/1
Analysis: Carl R. Moore Management LLC runner with high-class recent form (last-race figure 92). Broke her maiden in fast time at FG in November 2025 and has since posted sharp placings, including a close second to Braken Poppa in a recent two-turn allowance (Jan. 30, 2026). Cupid progeny often improve with distance; Sharp/Concepcion team is winning at a high clip. The main danger to the favorite—versatile, sharp, and bred to love the mile.
PP 4 – Braken Poppa (Aurelius Maximus – Fab Fox)
Jockey: Brian J. Hernandez, Jr. (top local rider).
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen (Hall of Fame trainer dominating the FG meet).
Morning Line Odds: 8/5 (heavy favorite)
Analysis: Bradley D. Kent & Ken T. Reimer-owned filly seeking her third consecutive victory. Undefeated in two-turn races; most recent: dominant allowance win at FG on fast dirt (speed figure 93, highest in field). Has tactical speed to sit just off the pace or press. Asmussen/Hernandez Jr. combo is money in restricted stakes; pedigree and form scream “win.” The one to beat—expect her to stalk and pounce in the stretch.
PP 5 – Chicka Chick (Keen Ice – Chickamauga)
Jockey: Emanuel Nieves
Trainer: Danny Pish
Morning Line Odds: 20/1
Analysis: Longshot from Duffy’s Racing Stable/Heider Racing. Recent sprints show early speed but she’ll need to stretch out successfully here. Has hit the board in restricted company but lacks the figures of the top choices. Could benefit from a hot pace meltdown; best used in the bottom of exotic tickets at a big price.
PP 6 – Liteupthenite (Aurelius Maximus – City Gone Wild)
Jockey: Isaac Castillo
Trainer: Jayde J. Gelner (good with improving LA-breds).
Morning Line Odds: 6/1
Analysis: Norman Stables LLC filly with upside off a solid recent placing at FG (figure 85). Same sire as the favorite (Aurelius Maximus) and has shown closing ability. Lightly raced with room to improve at the route; Gelner/Castillo can spring surprises. Solid mid-tier play for exactas and trifectas—live underneath.
PP 7 – Jet Ruckus (Combatant – Jet Majesty)
Jockey: Timothy Thornton
Trainer: Alan Klanfer
Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Analysis: Cloyce C. Clark, Jr. homebred with some early zip in maiden/allowance tries. Recent FG efforts show she can be forwardly placed but needs to find more late. Combatant speed blended with stamina on the dam side suits the mile; outside post requires a patient ride. Respectable longshot for deeper tickets if she gets an easy lead.
PP 8 – Complete Wrap (Independence Hall – Corluna)
Jockey: Jansen Melancon
Trainer: Allen Landry (knows the Louisiana circuit well).
Morning Line Odds: 12/1
Analysis: JD Thoroughbreds LLC & Larry J. Romero-owned filly exiting a competitive effort in optional claiming company (figure 86). Independence Hall pedigree screams classic distance potential; has shown ability to finish well. Landry barn can peak in stakes spots—sneaky value play who could improve with the added ground and a clean trip from mid-pack.
PP 9 – Mischievous Cindy (Maximus Mischief – Sky Entry)
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill
Trainer: Joseph M. Foster
Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Analysis: Bockmon Enterprises & The Ravens Rock Farm runner with a couple of placing efforts in restricted sprints/routes at FG/Delta. Last-race figure 81 but has upside stretching out. Maximus Mischief speed with stamina bottom; Murrill is effective at the meet. Longshot who could factor late if the pace is honest—include in supers at the price.
Summary and Wagering Angles:
Braken Poppa (4) is the clear class edge and deserving favorite, but Thrill Seeker (3) offers the best chance to upset at 2/1. Value plays include Fade to Gold (1) and Liteupthenite (6) for the exotics, with Complete Wrap (8) as the overlay bomb. Look for Braken Poppa to stalk and strike, or Thrill Seeker to turn the tables in a rematch scenario. Play exactas and trifectas boxing the top four with the two 6/1 shots; superfectas with the 12/1-15/1 bombs underneath.
