Venue Location: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 1751 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119.
Scheduled Post Time for Race 8: 4:15 PM Central Time (on a 13-race card with first post at 12:00 PM CT; times subject to minor adjustments).
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 in the lower 60s°F. Light southwest winds at 5–10 mph, moderate humidity, and zero chance of precipitation. Perfect racing weather with no impact on the surface.
Track Conditions: Fast dirt (main track). The extended dry spell and sunny forecast have produced a firm, speed-favoring main track typical for late March at Fair Grounds.
Race Overview: The Shantel Lanerie Memorial Stakes is a $100,000 restricted stakes (accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and upward) contested at 1 mile and 70 yards on the dirt. Weights are 123 lbs with allowances for non-winners of certain stakes or earnings. Limited to 14 starters (11 nominated), this is the final stakes of the meet and honors the late wife of longtime Fair Grounds jockey Corey Lanerie. It favors tactical speed and route form on a fast track. One scratch (Rising Inflation) leaves a compact field of four.
Full Field with Post Positions, Analysis, Jockeys & Trainers:
Post 1 – Blue Fire (LA-bred 4-year-old filly; Jockey: Florent Geroux; Trainer: Steve M. Asmussen; ML 9-5)
Pedigree: Aurelius Maximus–Mystic Blue (by Maimonides). Owned by Stonestreet Stables, LLC and Peter Leidel; bred by J. Adcock & Nathan Granger. Recent form includes a strong 2nd (speed figure 109) in the 2026 Bugler Overnight Stakes at Fair Grounds plus prior stakes placings/wins at the track (including a dominant Crescent City Oaks performance in recent history). Asmussen is a perennial leading trainer nationally and at Fair Grounds with an outstanding record in state-bred stakes; Geroux is one of the top riders in the colony and knows this filly well. Inside post is ideal for her tactical style on a speed-favoring surface. Top contender who could wire or sit just off the pace.
Post 2 – Margie’s Intention (LA-bred 4-year-old filly; Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz; Trainer: Brad H. Cox; ML 7-5)
Pedigree: Honor A. P.–Playful Dancer (by Into Mischief). Owned by Delta Squad Racing, Michael Dubb, and Madaket Stables, LLC; bred by Coteau Grove Farms, LLC. Boasts a standout recent speed figure of 112 and a 3rd-place finish in the 2025 Beldame (G2) plus sharp local works (bullet breeze noted recently). Cox is an Eclipse Award-winning conditioner with elite success at Fair Grounds and in graded stakes; Ortiz (riding in from out of town) is a Hall of Fame-caliber jockey who excels with quality fillies. The slight favorite has the highest upside and figures to stalk or press from a perfect post. Live every step and the one to beat.
Post 3 – Clearly a Test (LA-bred 5-year-old mare; Jockey: Emanuel Nieves; Trainer: Shane Wilson; ML 20-1)
Pedigree: Clearly Now–Testing One Two (by Star Guitar). Owned and bred by Brittlyn Stable, Inc. (Evelyn Benoit). Most recent outing a 6th-place finish (figure 68) in a Fair Grounds allowance optional claimer on Jan. 10, 2026; career form is modest with limited stakes success. Wilson is a solid local trainer, but this mare is outclassed on figures and recent form. Nieves is a capable veteran rider, yet the outside post and lack of current sharpness make her a longshot needing a perfect trip and pace meltdown to factor.
Post 5 – Canal Street (LA-bred 4-year-old filly; Jockey: Axel Concepcion; Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun; ML 8-1)
Pedigree: McKinzie–You Laughin (by Sharp Humor). Owned by Martin Racing Stable, LLC, Bob Gorsky, and Circustown Stable, LLC; bred by Coteau Grove Farms, LLC. Fresh off a winning effort (figure 90) in a Fair Grounds allowance optional claimer on Feb. 17, 2026, with prior placings at the track. Calhoun is a longtime Fair Grounds stalwart who excels with Louisiana-breds; Concepcion is a rising young jockey. The drop in weight (119 lbs) helps, and she has route stamina. Solid exotic player who could improve third off the layoff or with a clean outside trip, but faces tougher company here.
Overall Preview & Strategy Notes:
This is a high-quality, short-field stakes featuring two standouts in Margie’s Intention (the slight favorite with graded stakes experience and top figures) and Blue Fire (the logical co-favorite with proven local stakes form). The scratch of Rising Inflation (who had been 5-2 ML with a 109 figure) tightens the race but leaves a clear pace scenario—expect Blue Fire to show early speed from the rail while Margie’s Intention presses or stalks under Ortiz. Canal Street adds value underneath as a recent winner, while Clearly a Test is strictly a longshot. The fast dirt should reward tactical speed and clean trips inside or mid-pack. Key angle: the Asmussen/Geroux and Cox/Ortiz combinations dominate this spot historically. Exotics: exacta and trifecta focus on the top two with Canal Street for the third slot.
