The Allen Black Cat LaCombe Memorial Stakes is set to take place at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. This historic venue, known for its vibrant atmosphere and challenging turf course, has been hosting Thoroughbred racing since 1872.
The first post time for the day is 12:45 PM CT, with Race 9 expected to go off at approximately 4:45 PM CT.
Expected weather conditions in New Orleans on race day include highs around 80°F with patchy rain possible (about 0.1 inches of precipitation). Humidity will be high at 67-97%, with south winds at 12-15 mph.
These conditions could lead to a firm turf course if the rain holds off, but any significant moisture might soften it to good or yielding, potentially favoring horses with experience on off going.
This $100,000 stakes race is restricted to 3-year-old fillies and will be contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
It’s a black-type event, providing an opportunity for these up-and-coming fillies to build their resumes. The field of 11 includes a mix of recent maiden breakers, allowance winners, and stakes-tested runners. Trainers like Joe Sharp (with two entrants) and Brendan Walsh (also with two) add depth, while top barns like Brad Cox and Cherie DeVaux bring strong contenders.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Bohemian | Ben Curtis | Joe Sharp | 7/2 |
| 2 | Faithful Departed | Emanuel Nieves | Grant T. Forster | 20/1 |
| 3 | Struck At Midnight | Sofia Vives | Joe Sharp | 8/1 |
| 4 | Loveliest | Declan Cannon | Eddie Kenneally | 8/1 |
| 5 | Loch Fyne | Mitchell Murrill | Michael Stidham | 20/1 |
| 6 | Indigo Woods (IRE) | Axel Concepcion | Brendan P. Walsh | 8/1 |
| 7 | Aggressive Lime | Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. | Brad H. Cox | 9/2 |
| 8 | Ontology | Brian J. Hernandez, Jr. | Brendan P. Walsh | 10/1 |
| 9 | A. P.’s Girl | Hunter Rea | Peter Eurton | 10/1 |
| 10 | Alone Time | Jaime A. Torres | Cherie DeVaux | 9/2 |
| 11 | Callmeyourmajesty | James Graham | Wayne M. Catalano | 12/1 |
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
1. Bohemian (7/2 ML)
Trained by Joe Sharp and ridden by Ben Curtis, this Essential Quality filly draws the rail and enters as the morning-line favorite. She’s shown consistent form on turf, with a record of 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third in 9 starts. Recent finishes: 2nd in the Texas Turf Mile (LS) at Sam Houston on 1/24/26 (1 mile, yielding turf, lost by a head to males); 1st in a Fair Grounds allowance on 1/3/26 (1 mile, firm turf); 1st in a Churchill Downs MSW on 11/14/25 (1 mile, firm turf). Her speed figures have climbed steadily (118 in latest), and she handles distance well. Sharp is sharp at Fair Grounds, winning at a 20% clip this meet. Curtis, a British import with strong U.S. results, reunites after the Texas run. The inside post could allow a ground-saving trip, but she’ll need to break alertly to avoid traffic. Strong contender with class edge from facing boys.
2. Faithful Departed (20/1 ML)
Grant T. Forster trains this Yoshida filly, with Emanuel Nieves aboard. Limited public data on her form, but she’s a longshot suggesting modest expectations. Recent finishes are sparse, but she may have debuted in lower-level races without notable success. Forster is a capable conditioner but wins at about 10% overall. Nieves is a journeyman with occasional upsets. From post 2, she could stalk, but she’ll need a big improvement on turf to factor. Likely outclassed, but could hit the board at big odds if the pace melts down.
3. Struck At Midnight (8/1 ML)
Another from Joe Sharp, paired with apprentice Sofia Vives. This Bolt d’Oro filly has hit her stride at Fair Grounds, going 2-for-3 locally on turf. Recent finishes: 1st in a Fair Grounds AOC on 1/31/26 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf, speed fig 109); 1st in a Fair Grounds MOC on 12/26/25 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 92); 2nd in a Fair Grounds MSW on 11/29/25 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 89). She’s undefeated at the distance and thrives on firm going. Sharp’s second string adds barn strength. Vives, a rising star with a 5-pound allowance, has good hands for closers. Post 3 suits her stalking style. A live threat for a barn firing on all cylinders.
4. Loveliest (8/1 ML)
Eddie Kenneally sends out this Siyouni filly from Ireland, ridden by Declan Cannon. As an import, her European form may translate well to U.S. turf, but specific past performances are limited in available data. She’s likely lightly raced, perhaps with a maiden win overseas. Kenneally excels with Euro shippers (18% win rate). Cannon is reliable on grass. Post 4 allows tactical speed. If she adapts to the tighter turns at Fair Grounds, she could surprise, but unknown U.S. form makes her a wildcard. Expect firm turf to suit her pedigree.
5. Loch Fyne (20/1 ML)
Michael Stidham trains this War of Will filly, with local Mitchell Murrill up. She’s coming off a breakthrough win: 1st in a Fair Grounds MOC on 2/13/26 (1 1/16 miles, turf). Prior: 2nd in a Fair Grounds MSW on 12/26/25 (behind Struck At Midnight). She’s shown steady improvement on turf, with figs around 91. Stidham wins 15% with turf routers. Murrill knows the course well. Post 5 offers options, but as a recent maiden breaker stepping up, she’ll need further progress. Value for exotics if the favorites falter.
6. Indigo Woods (IRE) (8/1 ML)
Brendan P. Walsh conditions this Blue Point filly, with apprentice Axel Concepcion (5-pound allowance). She’s lightly raced but impressive: 1st in lone start, a Churchill Downs MSW on 10/26/25 (1 1/16 miles, turf, time 1:43.48). Pedigree screams turf stamina. Walsh is 18% with debut winners stretching out. Concepcion adds value with his bug. Post 6 is mid-pack, suiting a mid-race move. Untested in stakes but high upside; could be anything in just her second start.
7. Aggressive Lime (9/2 ML)
Brad H. Cox trains this Authentic filly, ridden by Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. She’s stakes-tested: 5th in the Sweetest Chant (LS) at Gulfstream on 1/31/26 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf, fig 95); 1st in a Churchill Downs allowance on 11/19/25 (1 1/16 miles, good turf, fig 94); 6th in the Jessamine (G2) at Keeneland on 10/3/25 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf, fig 85); 1st in a Kentucky Downs MSW on 8/28/25 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 83). Wins as favorite, but inconsistent in graded company. Cox is a powerhouse (25% win rate). Pedroza excels locally. Post 7 could force a wide trip, but her closing kick suits the distance. Solid chance if she returns to allowance form.
8. Ontology (10/1 ML)
Walsh’s second entrant, with Brian J. Hernandez, Jr. aboard. She broke her maiden locally at Fair Grounds, suggesting affinity for the course. Recent finishes include a 3rd in a Fair Grounds MSW on 11/29/25 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 87). Pedigree (Kitten’s Joy) favors turf routes. Walsh targets these spots well. Hernandez is a top turf rider (20% wins). Post 8 allows stalking outside. As a recent maiden winner stepping up, she’s intriguing but needs to prove stakes caliber.
9. A. P.’s Girl (10/1 ML)
Peter Eurton ships this Honor A. P. filly from California, with Hunter Rea riding. Recent: 1st in a Fair Grounds MSW on 1/22/26 (1 1/16 miles, fast dirt, fig 105); 4th in a Fair Grounds MSW on 12/27/25 (1 1/16 miles, fast dirt, fig 89); 5th in a Churchill Downs MSW on 11/29/25 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf, fig 79). Strong on dirt but weaker on turf. Eurton wins 15% with shippers. Rea is capable. Post 9 might require a wide rally. Turf question mark, but if she handles the surface switch, her dirt speed could translate.
10. Alone Time (9/2 ML)
Cherie DeVaux trains this Justify filly, with Jaime A. Torres. Limited specific finishes, but she’s entered off promising workouts and likely a recent maiden win. Pedigree suggests turf aptitude. DeVaux is 18% with 3YOs. Torres is aggressive. Post 10 is outside, favoring closers on Fair Grounds turf. Potential pace presser; could benefit from a hot early tempo.
11. Callmeyourmajesty (12/1 ML)
Wayne M. Catalano sends this Blofeld filly, ridden by James Graham. Recent: 1st in a Fair Grounds MSW on 2/15/26 (1 mile, firm turf). She’s building form on grass. Catalano wins 12% on turf. Graham is a Fair Grounds staple (15% wins). Wide post 11 could hurt, but her late kick might play if the rail is dead. Upset potential at a price.
