Scheduled Post Time for Race 9: 4:04 PM CT (full Louisiana Derby Day card begins at noon CT)
Venue: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots – 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119
The New Orleans Classic is one of the premier older-horse dirt routes on the calendar and the traditional undercard highlight on Louisiana Derby Day. It honors Louisiana racing and serves as a key stakes for 4-year-olds and up.
- Distance: 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs)
- Purse: $500,000
- Surface: Main Track Dirt
- Field Size: 6 horses (no scratches reported)
- Conditions: Grade II for 4-year-olds and upward; weights 118–124 lbs (Lasix permitted)
Expected Weather Conditions & Track Conditions
Mostly sunny to clear skies with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s°F (around 78–81°F at post time), lows in the low-to-mid 60s°F overnight. Light winds (5–10 mph), moderate humidity, and zero chance of precipitation. The dirt track has been dry for weeks and will race fast. This setup favors speed and tactical versatility with a strong pace likely; clean trips and ability to rate or close will be premium on a speed-favoring surface.
Full Field Analysis (Post Positions, Horses, Jockeys, Trainers, Recent Form)
All horses carry scale weights. Recent form is summarized from key preps and figures (HRN/Beyer-style noted where available). The local Louisiana-bred star and defending champion dominates the market.
PP 1 – Westwood (4YO gelding, 124 lbs)
- Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione (top rider with FG stakes wins)
- Trainer: Peter Eurton (new barn after transfer from John Shirreffs; sharp with shippers)
- Owner: C R K Stable (Lee Searing)
- Breeding: Authentic – Indian Bay
- Recent Form: Front-running winner of the San Pasqual Stakes (recent West Coast stakes); strong figures (HRN ~117). First start off the claim/transfer.
Analysis: Outside post in a small field is fine, but the 10-1 ML reflects the class jump and new trainer. Gaffalione’s speed will help early; live longshot if he clears and relaxes on the fast dirt.
PP 2 – Touchuponastar (7YO gelding, 122 lbs) – Defending Champion
- Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza Jr. (retained mount; red-hot locally)
- Trainer: Jeff Delhomme (homebred connections; knows every nuance of FG)
- Owner: Set-Hut, LLC (Jake C. Delhomme)
- Breeding: Star Guitar – Touch Magic
- Recent Form: Dominant repeat winner of the LA Bred Premier Night Championship S. (easy score, HRN 134); multiple facile wins vs. overmatched LA-breds since last year’s Classic victory over Sierra Leone. Lifetime 27-20-4-2 with nearly $1.76M earnings.
Analysis: The 6-5 morning-line favorite and clear standout. Four-time Louisiana Champions Day Classic winner; proven at this exact trip and surface. Pedroza Jr. knows the trip; he should stalk or press and dominate on fast dirt. The one to beat — heavy action expected.
PP 3 – Accelerize (4YO colt, 122 lbs)
- Jockey: John Velazquez (elite big-race rider)
- Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher (two-time Classic entrant; barn firing)
- Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC & Repole Stable
- Breeding: Omaha Beach – (strong pedigree for route)
- Recent Form: Re-rallied to win the Louisiana S. (G3) by a neck over Just a Touch; then 2nd in the Mineshaft (G3) vs. Hit Show (HRN ~112). Two strong FG winter tries.
Analysis: 3-1 second choice. Pletcher/Velazquez combo excels in routes. Tactical speed and closing kick suit the fast track; major threat if Touchuponastar over-races early. Strong exotic anchor.
PP 4 – Life and Times (5YO gelding, 118 lbs)
- Jockey: Flavien Prat (world-class closer)
- Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher (double threat today)
- Owner: Michael B. Tabor
- Breeding: Justify – (Justify pedigree for stamina)
- Recent Form: Blitzed allowance foes early; 3rd in the Fred W. Hooper (G3) (HRN ~115). Lightly raced but improving.
Analysis: 6-1 value. Pletcher/Prat tandem is dangerous; light weight helps. Needs a pace setup but can close strongly on firm dirt. Solid underneath play.
PP 5 – Not This Boy (5YO gelding, 122 lbs)
- Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz (FG stakes specialist)
- Trainer: William D. Cowans (consistent with Kentucky shippers)
- Owner: Zimmer Ridge Ranch
- Breeding: Not This Time – (solid route pedigree)
- Recent Form: Won the Tenacious Stakes at FG (Dec. 20) while withstanding pressure; strong 5YO debut (HRN ~122).
Analysis: 7-2 live chance. Ortiz gives him every opportunity; proven FG winner with tactical speed. Could press the favorite and be in the mix throughout.
PP 6 – Corporate Power (5YO horse, 118 lbs)
- Jockey: Luis Saez (Asmussen regular)
- Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen (perennial FG leader; stakes machine)
- Owner: Courtlandt Farms, LLC
- Breeding: Curlin – (Curlin stamina influence)
- Recent Form: Dominant allowance win at FG (Feb. 19, HRN 126); sharp local form.
Analysis: 8-1 with upside. Asmussen/Saez combo wins big races here often; light weight and recent figure make him a dangerous closer on fast dirt. Live longshot for exotics.
Betting Trends & Strategy Notes
- Favorites Edge: Defending champions and local speed have dominated recent editions on fast dirt.
- Pletcher/Asmussen Factor: Top barns (Pletcher has two, Asmussen one) account for most wins in this race type.
- Small-Field Dynamics: Only 6 runners means every trip counts; expect honest pace with Westwood/Touchuponastar prominent early. Heavy money already on the 6-5 favorite.
- Exotics Play: Exacta/trifecta boxes centered on Touchuponastar (#2) and Accelerize (#3), with Not This Boy (#5) and Corporate Power (#6) underneath for value.
Final Prediction
This is a compact, high-quality Grade II on perfect fast dirt. Touchuponastar (PP 2) is the standout with his defending title, recent dominance, and local affinity — he should repeat. Accelerize (PP 3) and Not This Boy (PP 5) are the primary threats in a likely thrilling stretch battle.
