The Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course is set to be an exciting turf race for four-year-olds and upward, offering a purse of $100,000 over a distance of five and one-half furlongs. This race is part of the “Road to the Derby Day” program and is scheduled as Race 6 on January 18, 2025.
Race Preview
Contenders:
- Nobals (KY) – Trained by Larry Rivelli and ridden by E.T. Baird, Nobals is the morning line favorite at 9/5. This 6-year-old gelding is sired by Noble Mission (GB) and out of Pearly Blue by Empire Maker.
- Gilded Ruler (KY) – Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will ride this Joe Sharp-trained gelding, who is sired by Into Mischief and out of Golden Cropper (AUS) by More Than Ready.
- Kavod (KY) – Lanfranco Dettori will ride this Joe Sharp-trained gelding, sired by Lea and out of Weekend Connection by Pulpit.
- Demolition Duke (KY) – Jose Ortiz will ride this Brendan Walsh-trained horse, sired by Good Magic and out of Media Madness by Empire Maker.
- Felix (KY) – Mitchell Murrill will ride this Thomas Morley-trained gelding, sired by Cupid and out of City by the Bay by City Zip.
- Mischievous Rogue (KY) – Jareth Loveberry will ride this Brittany Vanden Berg-trained gelding, sired by Into Mischief and out of Mahna by Candy Ride (ARG).
- Uncashed (FL) – Walter A. Rodriguez will ride this Larry Rivelli-trained gelding, sired by Uncaptured and out of Charlie B by War Chant.
- Swift as I Am (CA) – David Cohen will ride this Tanner Tracy-trained gelding, sired by Danza and out of As I Am by Artie Schiller.
- Gilcrease (KY) – Colby J. Hernandez will ride this Albert M. Stall, Jr.-trained gelding, sired by More Than Ready and out of Indian Brava by Bernardini.
- Over and Ollie (ON) – Luis Saez will ride this Albert M. Stall, Jr.-trained gelding, sired by Cairo Prince and out of Incidental Kiss by Harlan’s Holiday.
- Bear River (KY) – Axel Concepcion will ride this J. Keith Desormeaux-trained ridgling, sired by Flameaway and out of Sixtyfivenorth by Midshipman.
Key Points to Watch:
- Nobals is the standout favorite, having won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) in 2023 and recently adding another graded stake victory in the Kennedy Road (G2) at Woodbine.
- Gilded Ruler and Kavod are strong contenders with solid pedigrees and capable jockeys.
- Mischievous Rogue and Uncashed are also worth watching, given their trainers’ track records and their competitive morning line odds.
- Bear River has shown strong performances and could be a dark horse in this race.