Venue Location: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 1751 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119.
Scheduled Post Time for Race 12: 6:15 PM Central Time (on a 13-race card with first post at 12:45 PM CT; Star Guitar Stakes Presented by Brittlyn Stable is Race 12).
Expected Weather Conditions: Sunny to mostly clear skies with highs in the lower 80s°F (around 78–82°F during post time) and overnight lows near 60°F. Light southwest winds at 5–10 mph, moderate humidity, zero chance of precipitation. Ideal closing-day conditions.
Track Conditions: Fast dirt (main track). No rain in recent days or forecast has produced a firm, speed-favoring surface typical for late March at Fair Grounds.
Race Overview: The Star Guitar Stakes Presented by Brittlyn Stable is a $100,000 restricted stakes (accredited Louisiana-bred 4-year-olds and upward) contested at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. Weights are 123 lbs with allowances: 2 lbs for non-winners of a stakes at a mile or over; 4 lbs for $35,000 or less at a mile or over since Dec. 22; 6 lbs for $30,000 or less. Nominations closed March 7 with 16 entered; this field of 9 (no scratches) honors the legendary Louisiana sire Star Guitar and features local stars in the finale of the meet. The fast dirt and two-turn route favor tactical speed, inside posts, and proven stamina among Louisiana-breds.
Full Field with Post Positions, Analysis, Jockeys & Trainers:
Post 1 – Benoit (6-year-old gelding, Closing Argument; Jockey: James Graham; Trainer: Joe O. Duhon; ML 6-1)
Owned by Stacey Moak and bred by Joseph Tosterud. Graham is a veteran Fair Grounds rider with strong local winning percentages; Duhon is a reliable Louisiana specialist. The rail post is ideal for a tactical runner on a speed-favoring track. Solid mid-tier chance with allowance weight and proven dirt route ability in restricted company.
Post 2 – Tdzshininluckystar (5-year-old gelding, Star Guitar; Jockey: Ben Curtis; Trainer: Nason Eschete; ML 15-1)
Owned and bred by Tony Doughtie. Curtis and Eschete form a capable local combo, but this longshot draws outside the ideal early speed and faces tougher company on figures. Needs a pace meltdown to factor at a big price.
Post 3 – Cosmic Train (7-year-old gelding, Klimt; Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz; Trainer: Jerry Delhomme; ML 6-1)
Owned by Delanie J. Calais, Jr. and bred by Coteau Grove Farms, LLC. Hall of Fame-caliber jockey Ortiz ships in and upgrades the ride dramatically; Delhomme knows the local circuit. Neutral post and experience make him a live exotic player who can stalk or press.
Post 4 – He’s Late Again (4-year-old gelding, Aurelius Maximus; Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr.; Trainer: Brad H. Cox; ML 6-1)
Owned by George Messina and bred by Nathan Granger, Shannon Luquette, Chris Hebert & Brody Trahan. Eclipse-level trainer Cox brings elite quality to this spot; Pedroza rides regularly here with success. The post is workable for a versatile 4-year-old with upside in restricted LA-bred stakes.
Post 5 – Mangum (6-year-old gelding, Mo Tom; Jockey: Jansen Melancon; Trainer: Jeff Delhomme; ML 6-1)
Owned by Set-Hut, LLC (Jake C. Delhomme) and bred by Adcock’s Red River Farm, LLC & J. Adcock. Melancon is a solid local jockey; the Delhomme barn is live on closing day. Mid-pack post suits a horse with route stamina in Louisiana company.
Post 6 – Kenmore West (5-year-old gelding, West Coast; Jockey: Sofia Vives; Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun; ML 8-1)
Owned by Bob Gorsky and bred by Adcock’s Red River Farm, LLC, B&B Bloodstock, Inc. & Desmond Ryan. Vives is a rising Fair Grounds jockey; Calhoun is a perennial leading trainer with excellent stats in state-bred routes (carries 117 lbs allowance). Outside post is fine for a stalker with tactical speed.
Post 7 – Sippin On Gin (4-year-old colt, Mr. Money; Jockey: Axel Concepcion; Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun; ML 7-2)
Owned by Allied Racing Stable, LLC (Chester Thomas) and bred by Allied Racing Stable LLC. Rising-star jockey Concepcion and hot trainer Calhoun (who doubles up here) give this the top combination. The slight favorite has the class edge, tactical versatility, and figures to sit just off the pace or take it to them. The one to beat on a fast track.
Post 8 – Highland Creek (8-year-old gelding, Broken Vow; Jockey: C.J. McMahon; Trainer: Allen Landry; ML 6-1)
Owned by Baronne Farms, LLC (Lon M. Baronne) and bred by J. Adcock & Neal McFadden. McMahon and Landry are veteran local connections; the veteran gets 117 lbs. Outside post requires a clean trip, but consistent dirt form makes him a reliable exotic filler.
Post 9 – Letmikefigureitout (5-year-old gelding, Daaher; Jockey: Devin H. Magnon; Trainer: Alan Klanfer; ML 9-2)
Owned by Blue Ridge Racing (Don P. Hargroder) and bred by Blue Ridge Farm. Magnon and Klanfer take a shot from the far outside. Second choice on the morning line with route experience; the post is the toughest draw but offers closing potential if the pace is hot.
Overall Preview & Strategy Notes:
This is a competitive, wide-open Louisiana-bred stakes finale headlined by Sippin On Gin (the 7-2 favorite under the strong Calhoun/Concepcion combo) facing a cluster of 6-1 shots and value at 9-2 in Letmikefigureitout. Expect tactical speed from the inside (Benoit, Cosmic Train) with the fast dirt rewarding clean trips and horses that can handle two turns. Key angles: the Cox and Calhoun barns (multiple entrants with live jockeys) versus veteran locals like Duhon and Landry. Exotics should center on Sippin On Gin on top with Letmikefigureitout, Cosmic Train (Ortiz factor), and He’s Late Again (Cox factor) underneath. No scratches reported.
