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 in the heart of New Orleans, hosting its 2025-2026 winter/spring meet).
Scheduled Post Time: 4:10 PM CT (Race 7 on a nine-race card; first race approximately 12:45 PM CT).
Distance/Surface: 1 mile and 70 yards on the main dirt track.
Purse: $100,000 (includes $50,000 from LTBA Supplement); for accredited Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds, weight 122 lbs (maidens allowed 5 lbs).
Track Conditions: Main dirt track; expected to be fast. No significant rain in the forecast, and recent racing surfaces at Fair Grounds have been consistently fast and fair.
Expected Weather Conditions: Sunny and mild for late February in New Orleans. Daytime highs in the mid-70s°F (around 73-75°F), overnight lows near 60°F, light winds (5-10 mph), and 0-1% chance of precipitation. Ideal conditions for fast times and comfortable viewing—perfect racing weather with no weather-related biases anticipated.
This restricted stakes for Louisiana-bred sophomores draws a solid, competitive field of eight colts and geldings. It serves as a key local test for 3-year-olds eyeing later spots on the Louisiana-bred circuit or potential progression toward open-company events. The pace should be moderate to honest on the extended one-turn mile-and-a-furlong trip, favoring horses with tactical speed or proven stamina. Top contenders include sharp recent maiden/allowance winners and stakes-placed runners stretching out or returning from layoffs.
Full Field with Post Positions, Analysis, Jockey/Trainer Notes, and Morning Line Odds
PP 1 – Wherethehitsare (Mitole – Seaside Candy by Twirling Candy)
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr.
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr. (strong local barn with excellent Fair Grounds record).
Morning Line Odds: 5/1
Analysis: Louisiana-bred gelding owned and bred by Stewart M. Madison. Career: lightly raced but improving. Most recent: impressive 1st (broke maiden) at 1 mile over this track on Dec. 6, 2025 (time 1:40.84, speed figure ~100), showing stamina and closing ability. Prior: solid 3rd (speed figure 105) in a 6f MSW on Nov. 20, 2025 at FG behind stronger company. Comes off a ~12-week freshening but has already proven he handles the distance. Inside post is a plus for a stalker/closer; Stall/Pedroza combo is always dangerous locally. Strong exotics contender and live at ML price—could sit mid-pack and pounce.
PP 2 – Scar Ship (Midshipman – Hopeful Union by Dixie Union)
Jockey: Kevin Roman
Trainer: Ricky Courville (solid with LA-breds).
Morning Line Odds: 3/1
Analysis: Colt with proven stakes quality. Highlight: won the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S. (6f, FG, Dec. 13, 2025) in fast time (1:10.6, speed figure 119), defeating several here including Creole Chrome (3rd). Tactical speed should help him secure a forward position from the two-hole. Has the pedigree to stretch out (Midshipman influence), and recent form shows class edge over many. One of the main threats; likely to be prominent early and tough to catch if the pace suits.
PP 3 – Mogumbeaux (Mo Tom – Fiftyshadesofnay by Redding Colliery)
Jockey: Thomas L. Pompell
Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman
Morning Line Odds: 12/1
Analysis: Longshot with upside but needs to step up. Local connections and Mo Tom (solid LA sire) pedigree suit the trip. Has shown flashes in allowance/optional claiming company at FG/Delta but lacks the recent stakes punch of the top choices. Could improve with added distance, but expect him to be mid-pack or better only if pace collapses. Value play for deeper exotics at a price.
PP 4 – Creole Chrome (Volatile – Funny Moon by Malibu Moon)
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz (elite rider shipping in).
Trainer: Joe Sharp (high-percentage barn, especially with lightly raced prospects).
Morning Line Odds: 5/2 (likely favorite)
Analysis: Triple Crown-nominated colt from Three Diamonds Farm; the class horse on paper with a flying start (3 starts: 2-0-1, $33k+ earnings). Wins: dominant MSW (6f FG, Nov. 20, 2025, speed 117) and ALW (6f FG, Jan. 18, 2026, speed 122). Placed 3rd in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S. (behind Scar Ship). Sharp notes he’s stretching to two turns for the first time here—pedigree (by Volatile, out of a Malibu Moon mare) suggests he’ll handle it, and his speed figures are the highest in the field. Ortiz upgrades the ride significantly. Tactical versatility, sharp recent works, and barn momentum make him the one to beat, though the distance question and outside post (for a potential speed type) add slight intrigue.
PP 5 – Bubby (Blame – Hyper Piper by Old Fashioned)
Jockey: Sofia Vives
Trainer: Sam B. David, Jr. (proven with LA stock).
Morning Line Odds: 5/1
Analysis: Gelding with local ownership (Hernandez et al.). Competitive in recent FG sprints/ routes but yet to break through at stakes level. Tactical speed and Blame stamina pedigree are positives for the 1m70y trip. Consistent placer who could improve with the added ground; Vives knows the track well. Solid mid-tier contender for the exacta/tri.
PP 6 – Mor Force (Mor Spirit – Ready Witted by More Than Ready)
Jockey: Isaac Castillo
Trainer: Jayde J. Gelner
Morning Line Odds: 4/1
Analysis: Has already won at Fair Grounds this prep and hit the board twice more locally/ at Delta Downs. Strong recent form includes a win over this surface and competitive efforts as the favorite in restricted company. Mor Spirit progeny often handle distance well; expect him forwardly placed or pressing the pace. Live second or third choice—dangerous if Creole Chrome struggles stretching out.
PP 7 – Chariot (Aurelius Maximus – Mabeeitstime by Mr. Mabee)
Jockey: Harry Hernandez
Trainer: Shane Wilson (frequent LA-bred stakes participant).
Morning Line Odds: 20/1
Analysis: Longest shot on the board. Has shown some early speed in maiden/allowance tries but lacks the finishing kick or recent wins of the top picks. Wilson barn can spring surprises in restricted spots, but this one will likely need a pace meltdown to factor. Best as a bomb in superfectas.
PP 8 – Thebabeslayer (Collected – Candy Bay by Candy Ride ARG)
Jockey: James Graham
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen (Hall of Fame conditioner with elite strike rate).
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Analysis: Asmussen adds serious credibility. Recent: broke maiden at FG (recent start, on a softish track per reports), showing good closing kick. Collected pedigree provides stamina for the route. Graham is a patient rider who can exploit trips from the outside. Lightly raced with upside; the “Asmussen factor” makes him a must-include in exotics despite the post. Could be flying late.
Summary and Wagering Angles:
This is a wide-open LA-bred stakes with no dominant standout, but Creole Chrome (4) projects as the deserving favorite due to superior speed figures and class. Scar Ship (2) and Wherethehitsare (1) offer the best foils—Scar Ship for early pace/ class, Wherethehitsare for proven route ability. Mor Force (6) and Thebabeslayer (8) round out the key contenders for multi-race wagers or exotics. Look for value underneath with the Asmussen and Stall runners.
