Get ready for high-speed action as the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint Stakes returns to Fair Grounds, spotlighting top Louisiana-bred fillies and mares age three and up. This six-furlong sprint on dirt offers a $100,000 purse, showcasing both seasoned veterans and rising stars of the local circuit.
Race Overview
- Distance: 6 furlongs (dirt)
- Eligibility: Accredited Louisiana-bred fillies & mares (3YO and older)
- Entry Fees: $550 to enter + $550 to start
- Supplemental Nomination: $2,000 (covers all fees)
- Weights:
- 3YO: 122 lbs
- Older: 124 lbs
- Allowances:
- -2 lbs for non-winners of a 2024 sweepstakes at a mile or longer
- -4 lbs for non-winners of $15K twice since June 14, 2024
- -6 lbs for non-winners of $15K once in that span
(Maiden and claiming races not eligible for allowances)
- Field Limit: 14 starters (stakes winners prioritized)
- Purse Distribution:
- 1st: $60,000
- 2nd: $20,000
- 3rd: $11,000
- 4th: $6,000
- 5th: $3,000
- Trophy presented to the winning owner
Contenders & Morning Line Odds
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Like a Girl | C D Pomier | E J Barrera | 4/5 |
| Freeburn | S M Asmussen | J L Ortiz | 9/2 |
| Noneya | R P Ward | J L Rodriguez | 6/1 |
| Six String | A Landry | B Curtis | 5/1 |
| Luyv | G Goins | S Munoz | 12/1 |
| Custom Design | F D Pitzer | C J Hernandez | 20/1 |
| Free Drop Maddy | W B Calhoun | C McMahon | 20/1 |
| Blessed Assurance | P M Dison | M Pedroza Jr. | 20/1 |
| Accommodate Eva | S J Ducoing | D Cohen | 20/1 |
Race Insights & Key Players
- Free Like a Girl (4/5) – The overwhelming favorite with an outstanding résumé and consistent form. Trainer C D Pomier has her primed for another sprint success.
- Freeburn (9/2) – Lightly raced and full of upside. With J L Ortiz aboard and Steve Asmussen in her corner, she’s poised to make noise.
- Noneya (6/1) – A seasoned six-year-old mare bringing experience and late-race grit. Trainer R P Ward knows how to prepare a closer.
- Six String (5/1) – Young filly with tactical speed, offering value in exotics if she gets a good trip.
Tactical Outlook
With speed on display and fast conditions forecasted, expect Free Like a Girl to flash early foot, while Noneya and Six String could carve out good stalking trips. Weight allowances may benefit late-developers like Free Drop Maddy if pace collapses.
Final Word
This year’s Ladies Sprint Stakes offers a compelling mix of youth, speed, and veteran savvy. Will Free Like a Girl dominate again, or can a fresher face like Freeburn or Six String spring the upset? Either way, it’s shaping up to be a thrilling six-furlong shootout at Fair Grounds.
