Horse Racing Analysis and Preview: Crescent City Derby at Fair Ground Race Course

The Crescent City Derby, set to take place on March 22, 2025, at the Fair Grounds Race Course, is a premier event for Louisiana-bred three-year-olds.

Horses and Pedigrees

1. Real Thrill
   • Sire: Vekoma
   • Dam: Taking Tips
   • Breeder: William Kyle Harris
   • Owner: Norman Stables, LLC Real Thrill is a colt with a pedigree emphasizing speed and stamina, making him a strong contender.
2. Same Play
   • Sire: Star Guitar
   • Dam: Incoming Wire
   • Breeder: Robin Lane Thoroughbreds, LLC
   • Owner: Set-Hut, LLC Same Play inherits Star Guitar’s hallmark traits of consistency and resilience.
3. A Million Moons
   • Sire: Mo Tom
   • Dam: Gloamingsky
   • Breeder: Hoffman Family Racing
   • Owner: Hoffman Family Racing, LLC A Million Moons has shown potential, with Mo Tom contributing to his stamina.
4. Sippin On Gin
   • Sire: Mr. Money
   • Dam: High On Gin
   • Breeder: Allied Racing Stable LLC
   • Owner: Allied Racing Stable, LLC Sippin On Gin is a colt with a strong pedigree for speed and agility.
5. Dapper Moon
   • Sire: Malibu Moon
   • Dam: Fashioned Gem
   • Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms, LLC
   • Owner: Valene Farms, LLC Dapper Moon combines Malibu Moon’s versatility with a solid maternal line.
6. Majority Opinion
   • Sire: Half Ours
   • Dam: Maggies Ransom
   • Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
   • Owner: Greg Norman Majority Opinion is a consistent performer with a pedigree emphasizing speed.
7. He’s Late Again
   • Sire: Aurelius Maximus
   • Dam: Pixie Devil
   • Breeder: Nathan Granger, Shannon Luquette, Chris Hebert & Brody Trahan
   • Owner: Larry J. Romero He’s Late Again has shown flashes of talent, with Aurelius Maximus providing a strong genetic base.
8. Classic Time
   • Sire: Classic Empire
   • Dam: Reading Room
   • Breeder: Summer Grove Farm, LLC
   • Owner: Gary Barber Classic Time is a gelding with a pedigree emphasizing stamina and class.
9. Cajun Mitole
   • Sire: Mitole
   • Dam: Cajun Flower
   • Breeder: Coulee Croche Thoroughbreds, LLC
   • Owner: Coulee Croche Thoroughbreds, LLC & Clear Creek Stud, LLC Cajun Mitole is a colt with a pedigree rich in speed and versatility.
10. Acknowledge
    • Sire: Authentic
    • Dam: Call to Service
    • Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms, LLC
    • Owner: Repole Stable Acknowledge is a colt with a pedigree emphasizing classic distance capabilities.

Jockeys and Trainers

• Juan P. Vargas rides Real Thrill, trained by Lonnie Briley. Vargas’s experience and Briley’s strategic approach make this duo formidable.
• Timothy Thornton partners with Same Play, under the guidance of Jerry Delhomme. Thornton’s skill and Delhomme’s expertise are a winning combination.
• Ben Curtis teams up with A Million Moons, trained by Henry B. Johnson, Jr. Curtis’s tactical riding complements Johnson’s training style.
• Axel Concepcion rides Sippin On Gin, trained by W. Bret Calhoun. Concepcion’s youthful energy pairs well with Calhoun’s methods.
• Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. is aboard Dapper Moon, trained by Dallas Stewart. Hernandez’s consistency aligns with Stewart’s meticulous preparation.
• Emanuel Nieves partners with Majority Opinion, trained by Henry B. Johnson, Jr. Nieves’s determination and Johnson’s insights could lead to an upset.
• Florent Geroux rides He’s Late Again, trained by Allen Landry. Geroux’s tactical riding complements Landry’s training style.
• Jose L. Ortiz teams up with Classic Time, trained by Norm W. Casse. Ortiz’s aggressive riding style pairs well with Casse’s expertise.
• Jareth Loveberry partners with Cajun Mitole, trained by Brett A. Brinkman. Loveberry’s adaptability and Brinkman’s experience make this pair intriguing.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. rides Acknowledge, trained by Joe Sharp. Ortiz’s skill and Sharp’s expertise could yield a strong performance.