The Duncan F. Kenner Stakes serves as a key turf sprint on a stacked Road to the Derby Day card at Fair Grounds, featuring a field of 13 older males (4-year-olds and up) competing for a $100,000 purse over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. This listed stakes event attracts a mix of graded stakes veterans, allowance winners, and emerging talents, with weights ranging from 118-124 lbs. The morning-line favorite, Usually Wrong, brings sharp recent form and tactical speed, but contenders like Heart Headed and Petcoff could press the pace on a course that often favors frontrunners. Expect a brisk early tempo, potentially benefiting stalkers if the leaders duel too aggressively.
Venue Location
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
1751 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119 This historic oval, dating back to 1852, features a one-mile dirt track with a 7-furlong turf course inside. Known for its long stretch (1,346 feet) and fair turf, it hosts major winter meets. Capacity exceeds 5,000 in the grandstand, with simulcast and slots available. Admission is $10-15 for stakes days, with premium boxes via resale.
Post Time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. ET) Live coverage on FanDuel TV, TVG, or track simulcast. Post time approximate, following Race 6.
Expected Weather Conditions
Mild winter day with partly cloudy skies, highs around 60°F and lows near 48°F. Winds from the south at 4-8 mph, humidity 72-78%, and no precipitation (0.00 inches). Sunrise at 6:56 a.m., sunset at 5:24 p.m. These dry conditions favor firm turf without bias.
Track Conditions
Turf surface, 5 1/2 furlongs. With no recent rain and mild weather, expect a “Firm” rating. Fair Grounds’ turf typically plays fair but rewards speed in sprints, especially from inside posts. Recent biases show mid-pack stalkers succeeding if pace is honest; the long stretch allows closers a shot.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The field includes 12 main entries plus one also-eligible, with an average last-out speed figure of ~105 (Beyer equivalents). Below is a breakdown by post position, including horse details, recent finishes (last 5-6 with dates, tracks, distances, positions, and figures where available), form notes, jockey stats, and trainer insights.
Post Position 1: Wendelssohn (5YO Horse, Mendelssohn – Gangbusters)
Trainer: Chris A. Hartman (18% win rate in turf sprints; strong with shippers, 22% at Fair Grounds). Aggressive with speed types.
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. (16% win rate; excels on turf, 20% from inside posts). Ground-saving rider.
Recent Finishes: 12/21/25 – 1st (109) at FG (5.5F Turf, AOC); 11/15/25 – 2nd (112) at CD (6F Turf, ALW); 10/10/25 – 3rd (108) at KEE (5.5F Turf, AOC); 9/5/25 – 1st (115) at SAR (6F Turf, AOC); 8/1/25 – 4th (105) at ELP (5F Turf, Stake).
Analysis: Consistent winner with three turf victories in 2025; figures peaking (avg. 110). Rail draw suits pressing style; ML 6/1 value if he breaks sharply.
Post Position 2: Heart Headed (5YO Horse, Oscar Performance – La Malaguena)
Trainer: Joe Sharp (20% win rate; turf specialist, 25% with older horses).
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz (22% win rate; top turf pilot).
Recent Finishes: 12/13/25 – 1st (107) at FG (5F Turf, ALW); 11/8/25 – 3rd (110) at AQU (6F Turf, Stake); 10/5/25 – 2nd (105) at BEL (5.5F Turf, AOC); 9/1/25 – 1st (112) at SAR (5F Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Turf lover with two wins last year; solid figures (avg. 108). Good post for stalking; ML 7/2 as co-favorite.
Post Position 3: Bear River (5YO Ridgling, Flameaway – Sixtyfivenorth)
Trainer: J. Keith Desormeaux (15% win rate; patient with ridglings).
Jockey: James Graham (14% win rate; knows Fair Grounds well).
Recent Finishes: 12/15/25 – 2nd (104) at FG (5.5F Turf, AOC); 11/10/25 – 1st (106) at FG (6F Turf, ALW); 10/12/25 – 3rd (102) at KEE (5F Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Improving with recent win; figures steady (avg. 104). ML 8/1 for exotic play.
Post Position 4: Usually Wrong (5YO Horse, unknown pedigree)
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro (19% win rate; sprint expert).
Jockey: Isaac Castillo (17% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/20/25 – 1st (113) at OP (5F Turf, AOC); 11/22/25 – 1st (110) at CD (5.5F Turf, ALW); 10/11/25 – 2nd (108) at KEE (6F Turf, Stake).
Analysis: Hot form with back-to-back wins; top figures (avg. 110). ML 3/1 favorite.
Post Position 5: Petcoff (5YO Horse, Munnings – unknown)
Trainer: Brittany T. Russell (21% win rate; strong shipper).
Jockey: Ben Curtis (18% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/21/25 – 1st (105) at FG (5F Turf, ALW); 11/15/25 – 3rd (102) at LRL (5.5F Turf, Stake); 10/10/25 – 2nd (104) at PIM (5F Turf, AOC).
Analysis: Recent Fair Grounds winner; ML 8/1 contender.
Post Position 6: Schwarzmeier (5YO Horse, unknown)
Trainer: Peter Eurton (16% win rate).
Jockey: Flavien Prat (23% win rate; elite turf rider).
Recent Finishes: 12/10/25 – 4th (100) at DMR (5F Turf, AOC); 11/5/25 – 2nd (102) at SA (5.5F Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Class drop; Prat boosts chances. ML 20/1 longshot.
Post Position 7: Step Forward (5YO Horse, unknown)
Trainer: Michael J. Maker (20% win rate; turf master).
Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr. (19% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/8/25 – 3rd (103) at TP (5.5F Synth, AOC); 11/3/25 – 1st (105) at CD (5F Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Synth to turf; ML 12/1.
Post Position 8: Mondogetsbuckets (5YO Horse, unknown)
Trainer: Chris M. Block (14% win rate).
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. (24% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/14/25 – 2nd (101) at HAW (6F Turf, ALW); 11/9/25 – 1st (103) at AP (5F Turf, Stake).
Analysis: Shipper with win; wide post concern. ML 12/1.
Post Position 9: Can’t Deny It (5YO Horse, unknown)
Trainer: Larry Rivelli (22% win rate).
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry (15% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/7/25 – 1st (106) at HAW (5.5F Turf, AOC); 11/4/25 – 2nd (104) at AP (5F Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Consistent; ML 8/1.
Post Position 10: Monsieur Candy (5YO Horse, unknown)
Trainer: Alice G. Cohn (12% win rate).
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie (16% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/5/25 – 3rd (99) at FG (5F Turf, ALW); 11/1/25 – 4th (97) at CD (5.5F Turf, AOC).
Analysis: Local; ML 20/1 outsider.
Post Position 11: Frost Free (5YO Horse, unknown)
Trainer: Brett Creighton (13% win rate).
Jockey: Tyler W. Bacon (14% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/18/25 – 2nd (100) at TP (6F Synth, ALW); 11/12/25 – 3rd (98) at CD (5F Turf, AOC).
Analysis: Wide draw tough; ML 20/1.
Post Position 12: High Front (5YO Horse, unknown)
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen (21% win rate).
Jockey: Florent Geroux (20% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/6/25 – 1st (108) at FG (5.5F Turf, ALW); 11/2/25 – 2nd (106) at CD (6F Turf, Stake).
Analysis: Strong barn; ML 10/1 value.
Post Position 13 (AE): Tough Catch (5YO Horse, unknown)
Trainer: Dallas Stewart (15% win rate).
Jockey: Luis Saez (22% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/13/25 – 3rd (102) at FG (5F Turf, AOC); 11/8/25 – 4th (100) at CD (5.5F Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Enters if scratch; ML 12/1.
Series History
Run since 1943, the Kenner often favors speed (e.g., Sosua Summer in 2024). Favorites win ~40%; average winning Beyer ~110. Last year’s winner pressed from inside.
