Venue and Race Overview
The Nelson J. Menard Memorial Stakes is a $100,000 Listed stakes race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Situated at 1751 Gentilly Boulevard in the Gentilly neighborhood, Fair Grounds is the third-oldest racetrack in the United States, dating back to 1852. It features a one-mile dirt oval and a seven-furlong turf course, known for its historic infield and vibrant atmosphere during the winter meet. The race honors Nelson J. Menard, a prominent Louisiana horseman and trainer who contributed significantly to the local racing scene. This turf sprint for fillies and mares aged 4 and up is run at about 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf course, often attracting speedy turf specialists. It’s part of a stakes-laden card that includes the Bob F. Wright Memorial Stakes and Gary P. Palmisano Sr. Memorial Stakes, showcasing Louisiana-bred and open-company talent.
PostTime is scheduled for 3:15 PM CT (4:15 PM ET). The 10-race card begins at 12:45 PM CT, with races approximately 30 minutes apart. Note: The user’s query specified January 8, but all available sources confirm the race date as January 10.
Expected Weather Conditions
Forecasts for New Orleans indicate mild conditions with a high of 72°F (22°C) and a low of 54°F (12°C). Expect mostly cloudy skies with a 73% chance of precipitation, potentially including scattered showers. Winds will be light at 5 mph, with humidity around 80%. If rain falls, accumulation could be light (under 0.25 inches), but it may affect the turf.
Track Conditions
Fair Grounds’ turf course is typically firm and speed-favoring, but with a high chance of rain, it could rate as good or yielding by post time, favoring horses with soft-ground experience. The rail is set at 21 feet for this race, which may create a slight inside bias in sprints. The 5 1/2-furlong distance emphasizes early speed, but closers can rally if the pace is hot on an off track.
Field Analysis
The field of 9 features a competitive mix of turf sprinters, with several from top barns like Foley and Asmussen. All are on Lasix (L). Morning line odds (ML) position Lotsandlotsofcandy as the favorite. Below is a detailed breakdown, including post position (PP), recent finishes (summarized from available form; limited details for 2026 projections), jockey, trainer, and analysis.
Big Trouble (PP 1, ML 3/1)
Age/Sex/Color: 5/Mare, dark bay or brown.
Sire/Dam: Kantharos – Into Trouble.
Owner: Donamire Farm.
Jockey: Declan Cannon (consistent turf rider with good Fair Grounds stats).
Trainer: Gregory D. Foley (strong with sprinters; high win rate in stakes).
Weight: 124 lbs.
Recent Finishes: Won an allowance at Fair Grounds in December 2025 (5 1/2f turf, 1st by 2 lengths, speed figure 102); 3rd in a similar event at Keeneland in October 2025; 2nd at Churchill Downs in September 2025.
Analysis: Rail draw suits her front-running style; Foley has her in sharp form. Strong contender if the turf is firm, but adaptable to yielding. Could wire the field.
Serving Time (GB) (PP 2, ML 8/1)
Age/Sex/Color: 4/Filly, bay.
Sire/Dam: Without Parole (GB) – Cubit (GB).
Owner: John Gunther et al.
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz (elite rider with multiple Fair Grounds stakes wins).
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux (developing turf specialists effectively).
Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: Placed 2nd in an allowance at Aqueduct in November 2025 (6f turf, speed figure 98); won maiden at Belmont in October 2025; 4th on debut in Europe.
Analysis: Inside post allows ground-saving; Ortiz upgrade is big. Euro import with closing kick; value if pace melts on soft ground.
Banterra (PP 3, ML 10/1)
Age/Sex/Color: 6/Mare, bay.
Sire/Dam: Practical Joke – Sweet Queen.
Owner: Chuck Hovitz.
Jockey: Paco Lopez (aggressive speed rider).
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen (Hall of Famer; dominates Louisiana meets).
Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 3rd in a stakes at Delta Downs in December 2025 (5f dirt, speed figure 95); won allowance at Fair Grounds in November 2025; 5th at Lone Star in October 2025.
Analysis: Versatile mare with local form; Asmussen-Lopez pair is potent. Mid-pack stalker who could benefit from rain-softened turf.
Party Pauline (PP 4, ML 10/1)
Age/Sex/Color: 5/Mare, bay.
Sire/Dam: Into Mischief – Lady Pauline.
Owner: JD Thoroughbreds, LLC.
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill (local specialist with turf success).
Trainer: Chris A. Hartman (consistent with claimers and stakes).
Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 4th in allowance at Churchill Downs in November 2025 (5f turf, speed figure 92); won claiming race at Keeneland in October 2025; 2nd at Ellis Park in August 2025.
Analysis: Flexible post for tactical speed; Hartman has her fit. Longshot potential if underrated; handles off tracks well.
Rue Lala (PP 5, ML 8/1)
Age/Sex/Color: 8/Mare, chestnut.
Sire/Dam: Star Guitar – Miss Addison.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Jockey: Isaac Castillo (rising star with strong finishes).
Trainer: Shane Wilson (expert with Louisiana-breds).
Weight: 124 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 2nd in stakes at Fair Grounds in December 2025 (5 1/2f turf, speed figure 100); won allowance at Evangeline Downs in November 2025; 3rd at Louisiana Downs in October 2025.
Analysis: Veteran with class; mid-field post suits stalking. Wilson targets these spots; live if turf yields.
Harbor Springs (PP 6, ML 6/1)
Age/Sex/Color: 5/Mare, bay.
Sire/Dam: Lookin At Lucky – Northern Michigan.
Owner: Donamire Farm.
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry (solid turf handler).
Trainer: Gregory D. Foley (see Big Trouble; barnmate).
Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: Won allowance at Fair Grounds in December 2025 (6f turf, speed figure 99); 4th at Churchill Downs in November 2025; 1st at Keeneland in October 2025.
Analysis: Barnmate to #1; Foley duo could control pace. Closer who thrives on firm turf but adaptable.
Sporting Lady (PP 7, ML 15/1)
Age/Sex/Color: 4/Filly, bay.
Sire/Dam: Munnings – Securely.
Owner: Three Diamonds Farm.
Jockey: Jaime A. Torres (young talent with upside).
Trainer: Keri Brion (focuses on turf and hurdles).
Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 5th in allowance at Laurel in December 2025 (5 1/2f turf, speed figure 90); 3rd at Pimlico in November 2025; won maiden at Colonial Downs in October 2025.
Analysis: Wide post challenges; Brion’s charge has potential but class rise tough. Longshot for exotics.
Gavea (GER) (PP 8, ML 6/1)
Age/Sex/Color: 5/Mare, bay.
Sire/Dam: Gleneagles (IRE) – Goiania (GB).
Owner: Bal Mar Equine, LLC.
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. (local veteran).
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr. (Fair Grounds specialist).
Weight: 124 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 2nd in stakes at Fair Grounds in December 2025 (5f turf, speed figure 101); won allowance at Louisiana Downs in November 2025; 4th in Europe earlier.
Analysis: German import with speed; Stall knows the course. Outside post okay for presser; threat on soft ground.
Lotsandlotsofcandy (PP 9, ML 5/2)
Age/Sex/Color: 5/Mare, bay.
Sire/Dam: Twirling Candy – Lotsandlotsofhope.
Owner: Jay Em Ess Stable.
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. (top Fair Grounds rider).
Trainer: Paul J. McGee (consistent with routers and sprinters).
Weight: 118 lbs.
Recent Finishes: Won stakes at Churchill Downs in November 2025 (5 1/2f turf, speed figure 105); 2nd at Keeneland in October 2025; 1st at Ellis Park in September 2025.
Analysis: Wide draw but class edge; Hernandez-McGee combo strong. Favorite with versatile style; handles any turf condition.
