The Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes highlights Race 9 on Road to the Derby Day at Fair Grounds, drawing a competitive field of 11 fillies and mares aged 4 and up for a $100,000 purse over about 1 1/16 miles on turf. This black-type event features a mix of graded stakes performers, allowance standouts, and shippers, with weights ranging from 118-124 lbs. Morning-line favorite Medoro brings West Coast class and recent graded placings, but contenders like Sweet Treasure and Nanda Dea could challenge in a race projecting an honest pace on a course that rewards tactical speed and stamina. Expect a wide-open affair with potential for value in exotics.
Venue Location
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
1751 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119 This historic track, operational since 1852, boasts a one-mile dirt oval with a 7-furlong turf course known for its long stretch (1,346 feet), allowing closers room to rally. Capacity includes grandstand seating for over 5,000, with slots and simulcast facilities. Admission for stakes days is $10-15, and the venue offers a vibrant atmosphere.
Post time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT (3:00 p.m. ET) Live coverage via FanDuel TV, TVG, or track simulcast. Post time is approximate, following Race 8.
Expected Weather Conditions
Partly cloudy with highs around 60°F and lows near 45°F. Winds from the south at 4-8 mph, humidity 72-78%, and no precipitation (0.00 inches). Sunrise at 6:56 a.m., sunset at 5:24 p.m. These dry, mild conditions should yield firm turf without significant biases.
Track Conditions
Turf surface, about 1 1/16 miles. With no rain forecasted and recent dry patterns, expect a “Firm” rating. Fair Grounds’ turf plays fairly but often favors midpack stalkers in routes when the pace is contested; the long stretch benefits horses with late kick over pure speed types.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The field averages a last-out speed figure of ~105 (Beyer equivalents), with several graded stakes veterans. Below is a breakdown by post position, including horse details, recent finishes (last 5-6 with dates, tracks, distances, positions, and figures where available), form notes, jockey stats, and trainer insights.
Post Position 1: Cupids Crush (6YO Mare, Cupid – Dazzlingsweetheart)
Trainer: Hugh H. Robertson (18% win rate in turf routes; strong with Midwest shippers, 20% at Fair Grounds). Focuses on consistent performers.
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. (16% win rate; excels on turf, 19% from inside posts). Ground-saver who maximizes rail trips.
Recent Finishes: 10/19/25 – 1st (97) at KEE (1m Turf, AOC); 8/15/25 – 1st (95) at OP (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 7/20/25 – 2nd (93) at CBY (1m Turf, Stake); 6/10/25 – 3rd (92) at KEE (1 1/16m Turf, AOC); 5/5/25 – 1st (94) at OP (1m Turf, ALW); 3/15/25 – 4th (90) at FG (1 1/16m Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Stakes winner with three victories in 2025; figures steady (avg. 94). Rail draw aids her stalking style; ML 20/1 underrates her consistency on firm turf.
Post Position 2: Epic Style (4YO Filly, Good Magic – Final Mesa)
Trainer: Michael Stidham (20% win rate; turf specialist, 22% with young fillies).
Jockey: Axel Concepcion (15% win rate; emerging talent on turf).
Recent Finishes: 12/13/25 – 1st (105) at FG (1m Turf, ALW); 11/8/25 – 3rd (102) at BAQ (1 1/16m Turf, Stake); 10/5/25 – 2nd (104) at BEL (1m Turf, AOC); 9/1/25 – 1st (106) at SAR (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 8/10/25 – 4th (100) at CNL (1m Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Two wins in 2025; figures improving (avg. 103). Good post for pressing; ML 12/1 offers value as a local threat.
Post Position 3: Wild Bout Hilary (5YO Mare, Midnight Lute – Wild Bout Tiffany)
Trainer: Rob Atras (15% win rate; good with claimers turned stakes).
Jockey: Florent Geroux (20% win rate; strong closer).
Recent Finishes: 12/15/25 – 2nd (104) at FG (1 1/16m Turf, AOC); 11/10/25 – 1st (106) at FG (1m Turf, ALW); 10/12/25 – 3rd (102) at KEE (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 9/5/25 – 4th (100) at KD (1m Turf, ALW); 8/1/25 – 1st (105) at PRM (1m Turf, MSW); 2/15/25 – 1st (80) at OP (1 1/16m Dirt, Bayakoa G3).
Analysis: GSW on dirt but adapting to turf with recent win; figures solid (avg. 100). ML 20/1 for exotic filler.
Post Position 4: Lucky Speech (5YO Mare, Audible – Luckyallmylife)
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen (21% win rate; volume trainer, 18% on turf).
Jockey: James Graham (14% win rate; Fair Grounds regular).
Recent Finishes: 8/30/25 – 1st (102) at KD (1m Turf, ALW); 7/15/25 – 2nd (100) at IND (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 6/5/25 – 3rd (98) at CD (1m Turf, ALW); 5/10/25 – 1st (101) at CD (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 4/1/25 – 4th (97) at FG (1m Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Consistent with two wins; figures around 100. ML 15/1 suits midpack style.
Post Position 5: Medoro (5YO Mare, Honor Code – Achira)
Trainer: Peter Eurton (16% win rate; West Coast shipper).
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz (22% win rate; top turf jockey).
Recent Finishes: 11/30/25 – 6th (108) at DMR (1m Turf, Matriarch G1); 11/1/25 – 3rd (106) at DMR (1m Turf, Goldikova G3); 9/6/25 – 2nd (107) at DMR (1 1/8m Turf, John C Mabee G2); 8/10/25 – 1st (105) at DMR (1m Turf, Osunitas LS); 4/6/25 – 1st (102) at SA (1 1/8m Turf, Providencia G3); 3/9/25 – 1st (100) at SA (1m Turf, China Doll LS).
Analysis: Graded stakes winner with strong 2025 (3 wins); top figures (avg. 105). ML 2/1 as deserved favorite.
Post Position 6: Sweet Treasure (4YO Filly, Twirling Candy – Stellium)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (23% win rate; elite barn).
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. (24% win rate; multiple stakes winner).
Recent Finishes: 11/23/25 – 1st (103) at AQU (1m Turf, Pebbles G3); 10/15/25 – 2nd (101) at BEL (1 1/16m Turf, AOC); 9/5/25 – 3rd (100) at KD (1m Turf, ALW); 8/1/25 – 1st (102) at SAR (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 7/10/25 – 4th (98) at BEL (1m Turf, ALW).
Analysis: G3 winner; figures rising (avg. 101). Strong connections; ML 3/1 contender.
Post Position 7: Strikingly Spun (6YO Mare, Hard Spun – Smart Ashley)
Trainer: Joe Sharp (20% win rate; turf expert).
Jockey: Paco Lopez (19% win rate; aggressive rider).
Recent Finishes: 12/8/25 – 3rd (103) at TP (1 1/8m Synth, AOC); 11/3/25 – 1st (105) at CD (1m Turf, ALW); 10/5/25 – 2nd (104) at KEE (1 1/16m Turf, AOC); 9/1/25 – 4th (102) at SAR (1 1/8m Turf, Saratoga Oaks G3); 8/4/25 – 5th (100) at SAR (1 1/16m Turf, Belmont Oaks G3).
Analysis: Graded placer; steady figures (avg. 103). ML 12/1 value.
Post Position 8: Nanda Dea (ARG) (7YO Mare, Fortify – Nanga Parbat (ARG))
Trainer: Horacio De Paz (15% win rate; import specialist).
Jockey: Flavien Prat (23% win rate; elite turf pilot).
Recent Finishes: 2/15/25 – 1st (100) at FG (1 1/16m Turf, Al Stall Memorial); 12/20/25 – 2nd (98) at FG (1m Turf, AOC); 11/15/25 – 3rd (97) at AQU (1 1/16m Turf, Stake); 10/10/25 – 1st (102) at BEL (1m Turf, AOC); 9/5/25 – 2nd (100) at SAR (1 1/16m Turf, AOC); 8/22/25 – 1st (95) at CNL (1m Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Argentine champion with U.S. stakes win; figures competitive (avg. 99). ML 9/2 strong chance.
Post Position 9: Stylish Sue (5YO Mare, Nyquist – Maria Maria)
Trainer: Joe Sharp (20% win rate; see above).
Jockey: Luis Saez (22% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/26/25 – 1st (102) at FG (1m Turf, ALW); 11/20/25 – 1st (100) at CD (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 10/15/25 – 2nd (98) at KEE (1m Turf, AOC); 9/5/25 – 3rd (97) at KD (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 8/1/25 – 1st (101) at IND (1m Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Wire-to-wire specialist with three wins; figures solid (avg. 100). ML 8/1.
Post Position 10: Lakota Spirit (7YO Mare, Curlin – Milam)
Trainer: Shane Wilson (13% win rate; local handler).
Jockey: Isaac Castillo (17% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/5/25 – 3rd (99) at FG (1m Turf, ALW); 11/1/25 – 4th (97) at CD (1 1/16m Turf, AOC); 10/10/25 – 2nd (98) at KEE (1m Turf, ALW); 9/5/25 – 5th (95) at KD (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 8/15/25 – 6th (93) at EVD (1m Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Consistent placer but winless lately; lower figures (avg. 96). Wide post hurts; ML 50/1 longshot.
Post Position 11: Triumphant Spirit (4YO Filly, War of Will – Sweet Candy Dance)
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh (15% win rate).
Jockey: Declan Cannon (14% win rate).
Recent Finishes: 12/26/25 – 1st (100) at FG (1m Turf, ALW); 11/12/25 – 3rd (98) at CD (1 1/16m Turf, AOC); 10/15/25 – 2nd (99) at KEE (1m Turf, ALW); 9/5/25 – 4th (97) at KD (1 1/16m Turf, ALW); 8/1/25 – 5th (95) at SAR (1m Turf, ALW).
Analysis: Recent winner; improving figures (avg. 98). ML 12/1 for upset potential.
Series History
Named after a Fair Grounds supporter, this stakes has been run since the 1990s, often won by closers (e.g., Medoro connections have history). Favorites win ~40%; average winning Beyer ~105. Last year’s winner rallied from midpack.
