Category: Fair Grounds

Wilson At the Top of Fair Grounds’ 152nd Season of Racing

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  • The 152nd racing season saw stakes purses rise to $9.95 million, the richest in Louisiana’s history

New Orleans, La (March 27, 2024) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots wrapped up its 152nd season of racing on Sunday, March 24, having offered the richest stakes schedule in Louisiana history at $9.95 million. The 2023 – 2024 trainer, owner, and jockey title winners all extended from one barn, as Shane Wilson finished atop all conditioners, first call Jose Guerrero earned top pilot honors, and Brittlyn Stable hoisted the owner’s title.

Brad Cox swept Fair Grounds’ “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series presented by Fasig-Tipton,  sending out Alpine Princess in the $100,000 Untapable Stakes, West Omaha in the $150,000 Silverbullerday, and Tarifa who took both the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) and the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).. 

The meet began as it did the year prior, with Louisiana Champions Day Preview Weekend on Nov. 17-18, featuring six stakes written for horses bred in the Pelican State. On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Claiming Crown was held at Fair Grounds, the first time since 2011, followed by Louisiana Champions Day on Dec. 9. The pinnacle of the meet was Louisiana Derby Day on March 23, when eight stakes were carded, including four graded affairs. The 111th running of the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) was the highlight of the 73 stakes contested over the 76-racing day meet. Trained by Brad Cox, Albaugh Family Stable’s Catching Freedom put on a stellar performance to go from last to first and catapult to the top of the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard Standings. 

The 2023-2024 meet began with unveiling two new barns, erected to replace those wrecked in 2021 by Hurricane Ida. The Stall-Wilson turf course maintained its integrity throughout the meet, showcasing many of the sport’s best grass runners, like the rising star I’m Very Busy who dazzled the full field of older males to win the $300,000 Muniz Memorial (G2) presented by Horse Racing Nation on March 23. 

Another race that will be forever remembered took place on Louisiana Derby Day, as Set-Hut’s Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar ran his heart out on the lead only to be chased down late by Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Red Route One for trainer Steve Asmussen in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard.

The 76-day meet featured all the traditions that horsemen, horseplayers, and fans adore: Miles Ahead won the 99th running of the $200,000 Thanksgiving Classic for trainer Paul McGee; the Road to the Derby series saw Track Phantom walk over from Steve Amsussen’s barn to score the first two legs with the Gun Runner and the Lecomte; Chad Brown shipped Sierra Leone in to take the Risen Star. Low takeout in the 50-cent Pick 5 and $1 Pick 6 pools remained at 15%. 

Coinciding with the Black Gold Stakes, on March 2 Fair Grounds celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Black Gold becoming the first Louisiana Derby champion to win the Kentucky Derby. His connections’ family were in attendance as the ceremonial wreath was placed at Black Gold’s grave in the infield.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Claiming Crown returned to Fair Grounds on Dec. 2. With purses ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, the card showcased Money Supply from trainer Joe Sharp who scored in the $200,000 Jewel, and later won the $300,000 Mineshaft Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3). Sharp had another strong meet, finishing sixth in the standings with over $1 million in purse earnings. 

Inspired by strong handle during the first seven weeks of the meet, Fair Grounds announced a 10% purse increase across the board, along with $25,000 added to the purses of ten stakes. 

Fair Grounds meet leading trainer Shane Wilson (right) and son Conner. Hodges Photography.

Wilson’s hot start to the meet never cooled off, and the trainer put a bow on his first Fair Grounds title winning three races in a row on Closing Day, including two stakes with Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged and Behemah Star. Tallying 50 on top finishes, Wilson earned over $2 million in purses. Having transferred her string to Wilson’s care prior to the meet, with 14 wins Evelyn Benoit of Brittlyn Stable was awarded her second owner’s title in the last three years. Also stabling Thoroughbreds with Shane Wilson, owner Wayne T. Davis finished in second with 12 wins.

Leading Jockey, J.A. Guerrero. Hodges Photography.

Jockey newcomer Jose Guerrero piloted 48 to the winner’s circle for Wilson, plus four for other connections, to take the riding title with 52 in total. The title for leading rider came down to the last day as fans saw Guerrero win three races in a row on Closing Day’s 15-race card, edging out Jareth Loveberry by one win. Three new additions to the jockey colony finished at the top of the standings, as Ben Curtis and Jaime Torres joined Jose Guerrero in the top five. On Dec. 3 jockey James Graham brought home his 3,000th career win, piloting Vortex for trainer Keith Desormeaux. 

Having achieved a 5,000th career win prior to the meet, Corey Lanerie added 49 more to his tally, finishing third in the standings–very much in striking distance of his first ever local title. No win was more special than in the final race of the meet when he piloted Chasey Pomier’s Free Like a Girl to win the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial, which is named in honor of Corey’s departed wife.  

Donned the “Cajun Queen” by track announcer John G. Dooley, Brittlyn Stable’s 6-year-old mare Ova Charged took the title in four stakes for a perfect meet, highlighted by beating open company fillies and mares sprinting across the Stall-Wilson Turf Course in the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes.

The veteran turf router trained by Tanner Tracy, Joel B. Hunsburger’s Niles Channel was the first to four wins this meet (from six tries). Only to be outdone by Ova Charged’s perfect record and gaudy speed figures. Thirteen different Thoroughbreds won three races each, including Dream Walkin’ Farms’ Wardy for Joe Duhon and Rigney Racing’s Speedy Traveler for Philip Bauer. Those two joined Tarifa and Ova Charged with perfect records on the meet. Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar reigned supreme as the top Louisiana-bred, winning the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic. The $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes went to Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star. 

Many famed connections continued their tradition of remarkable success at Fair Grounds. Tom Amoss finished second in the trainer standings with 28 wins and over $1 million in purse earnings. At a 28% strike rate, Brad Cox was right behind with 27 on the meet. Having saddled Catching Freedom ahead of his Louisiana Derby victory, Cox was also celebrated for repeating an Oaks-Derby prep sweep on Louisiana Derby Day, which he also accomplished in 2020 with Bonny South and Wells Bayou. New Orleans-natives Dallas Stewart (15 wins) and Al Stall Jr. (14) also finished in the top ten of the trainer standings.

New barns which had headline-grabbing meets included two young and hungry trainers from the NYRA circuit, as Rob Atras won an impressive 43% clip with 6 scores and Robert Falcone Jr. finished at 31% with 5. 

On Saturday, Feb. 24, Fair Grounds honored the equine athletes with the fourth annual “New Vocations Day at the Races.” Jockey Rosie Napravnik, a four-time local champion, joined Fair Grounds personality Joe Kristufek on-air to raise money for all aspects of racehorse aftercare.

At season’s end, four of the top ten and six of the top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard ran in Fair Grounds’ prep series. Last year Two Phil’s, Angel of Empire, and Disarm traveled Fair Grounds’ road to the Derby starting gates to finish 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, respectively. If recent history is any inclination, many of the top performers from Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 meet will go forward to snatch purses and grab headlines on horse racing’s national scene.

Behemah Star Scores Second Star Guitar Stakes

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Behemah Star with J.A. Guerrero (pink cap) aboard turns for home and goes on to win the Star Guitar Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Jan Brubaker

With the 2022 edition already on his resume, Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star scored his second $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Sunday. The son of Star Guitar beat four older Louisiana-bred males, putting 2 1/2 lengths between he and Budro Talking to complete the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.05.

Trained by Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 leading trainer Shane Wilson, Behemah Star’s pilot was Jose Guerrero.

“I knew he was ready,” Guerrero said. “Last time he got tired but today I knew he was ready. I was really comfortable the way he did it. I really appreciate this opportunity from Mr. Shane and Ms. Benoit. It’s really nice to ride for these kinds of people.”

Breaking to the lead and setting an opening call in :26.17, soon Behemah star was taken over by Budro Talking who led the way from the rail through a second quarter of :50.17. Comfortable to stalk in second, Behemah Star saved his run for the end, bidding by Budro Talking who finished second. Blue Cheese came late for third.

Behemah Star completed the Star-Guitar-sired stakes Daily Double, as Ova Charged won the Page Cortez sprinting on the turf the race prior.

“These Star Guitars can do everything,” Wilson said. “He’s had stakes winners on the dirt, on the turf. Every week he’s producing another one. He’s the best sire in the state. We’re thankful Ms. Benoit has given us a chance this meet. It’s been a blast to run in these kinds of races and get the job done for her.”

The versatile 6-year-old has a career record of 23-7-7-4 with $435,421 in the bank.

Never a Doubt in Page Cortez as Ova Charged Crowned “Cajun Queen”

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Britlyn Stable’s Ova Charged with jockey J.A. Guerrero aboard pulls away to win the 3rd running of the $100,000 -+Page Cortez Stakes at Fair Grounds.  Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

 

For her fourth stakes win of the 152nd Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots meet, Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged shot out of the gates and never looked back, winning the $100,000 Page Cortez Stakes by 12 1/2 lengths. Stablemate Rue La La ran second to complete the Brittlyn Stable-homebred, Star Guitar-sired exacta in the 5 1/2-furlong turf contest. One race later in the Star Guitar Stakes, Behemah Star added to the sire’s flair to complete the Star Guitar-sired stakes Daily Double.

“She’s a special, special horse,” owner Evelyn Benoit said. “So sweet. So calm. She’s just a sweetheart and so is Rue La La. She is the gift from Star Guitar that keeps giving. Star Guitar is the gift that keeps on giving–Al Stall said that years ago and it’s true. Ova Charged’s sister, Manama Gold is the talk of Dubai, undefeated. It makes me feel so good to have (Ova Charged) known internationally.”

Trained by Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 leading trainer Shane Wilson, Ova Charged took jockey Jose Guerrero along for the ride, clocking in at 1:01.90.

“She broke really fast this time,” Guerrero said. “I think she outbroke me. That is a nice, nice filly to ride. I want to thank Mr. Shane and Ms. Benoit. I looked back and didn’t see anyone coming and I thought we’ll get this one easy like the last time.”

Last out in the Mardi Gras Stakes, Ova Charged asserted her dominance, beating the field of eight open company fillies and mares by 5 1/4 lengths.

Brittlyn Stable won the owner’s title, the second in the last three years for Evelyn Benoit.

Ove Charged gifted the public $2.20, $2.20, and $2.10.

In 15 starts, the “Cajun Queen” has a 12-1-0 record and $608,780 in jewels and riches.

Brian’s Iron Mike Produces Resolutely to Win Costa Rising

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Brian’s Iron Mike with jockey Ben Curtis aboard captures the 14th running of the $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lily Weir

 

Hat Racing’s Brain’s Iron Mike produced a resolute late move to leave no doubts about which older turf sprinter was best in the $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Winning by 2 1/2 lengths Brian’s Iron Mike beat a field of five male rivals.

Trained by Allen Landry and piloted by Ben Curtis, the gray son of Iron Fist covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.71 to win his first across the sod. With the portable rails down, the Stall-Wilson turf course was rated “yielding.”

“He had a little time off and we’ve been getting him back right,” Landry said. “He loves the grass, it seems like that’s the spot for him.”

With the scratch of several pace presences, it was Unified Report who made the lead and set modest opening fractions of :22.57 and :46.12. Brain’s Iron Mike settled second to last, staying several paths off the rail. With a furlong to go, he kicked past Unified Report who held all other bids at bay to run second. Mangum rounded out the trifecta.

“I thought we’d be further back but he broke and got into stride very quickly today,” Curtis said. “I always say when riding on a short-priced favorite, one back and one out and no excuses up the stretch is the way to ride them. I got a lovely tow around, he traveled beautifully. When I asked him in the stretch, he put them to bed very well.”

Bet down to odds-on favoritism, Brian’s Iron Mike paid $3.20, $2.60, and $2.20.

Adding the Costa Rising to his stakes resume, Brian’s Iron Mike now sports a 18-5-5-2 career record, including the 2022 Monte Man, and stacks $281,500 in career earrings.

Platinum Minit’s Rally Stymied, but Kissed Up in the Crescent City Oaks

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Platinum Minit with jockey Reylu Gutierrez (black cap) aboard wins the 19th running of the Crescent City Oaks after the disqualification of Clearly A Test from first to second. Hodges Photography / Amanda Weir

 

Kicking into high gear to split foes near the $125,000 Crescent City Oaks wire, Platinum Minit’s bold move was stymied by Clearly a Test who crossed the finish line first on Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Inquiry and objections quickly went up and the stewards ruled Clearly a Test interfered with Platinum Minit’s impressive surge, and the filly who walked over from Dallas Stewart’s barn was declared the statebred Oaks champion.

“She’s a tiny little thing but she has a big heart,” Stewart said. “I’m lucky that Mr. [Murray] Valene sends me these great fillies.”

Platinum Minit was guided by last year’s leading jockey Reylu Gutierrez.

Post-time favorite Lightofmaine pressed Sister Ella who set quick early fractions of :23.32 and :47.97. Platinum Minit broke sharply but relaxed to settle on the rail, letting a pocket form around her before tipping out to the center of track to begin her rally. Having tracked the forward fillies through the far turn, Clearly a Test emerged with promise at the top of the stretch but proved green drifting out and finally back in to interfere with Platinum Minit’s late surge. Disqualified from first, Clearly a Test was placed second. Late charger Emily’s Bullet got up for third.

“She settled nicely early on for me,” Gutierrez said. “At the end I wasn’t sure if she’d split the horses but when I asked she did. This filly has a ton of heart and all credit goes to Mr. Valene and Dallas Stewart.”

Though they had to sweat out a steward’s decision, Platinum Minit’s backers breathed a $8.60, $4.00, and $3.00 sigh of relief once the ruling came.

The daughter of Givemeaminit who broke her maiden in an allowance, now has 2 wins from 7 starts and $136,525 in the bank.

Payday for El Dinero in the Crescent City Derby

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El Dinero with James Graham aboard wins the 52nd running of the Cresent City Derby at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lily Weir

 

New Orleans, La (March 23, 2024) – John Tavormina’s El Dinero rallied up the rail to score the $125,000 Crescent City Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday. One of eight stakes on Saturday’s “Louisiana Derby Day,” the Crescent City Derby concluded the three Louisiana-bred affairs, including the Crescent City Oaks and Costa Rising Stakes.

Trained by Pat Devereux Jr., El Dinero beat seven statebred 3-year-old males by 4 3/4 lengths. The son of El Deal completed the 1 1/16 miles across the fast main track in 1:45.08.

“It really never felt like he was going to lose all the way around there,” Devereux said. “That doesn’t happen very often. It’s come and gone with him. He’s not always as generous, but we moved back to Evangeline from Delta and he worked awesome two times, so it felt like he was coming into this race the right way.”

Sonofaship hustled hardest to beat the field to the front, clocking in honest opening fractions of :23.82 and :47.51. After positioning mid-pack in the two-path, El Dinero maneuvered far turn traffic with ease, then hugged the rail to quickly cut in line at the top of the stretch and extend his lead down the stretch. Sonofaship stayed on for second. Blue Eyed George finished third.

“He traveled super today,” Graham said. “He carried me the whole way. Whenever I needed an inch I got it. When I squeezed on him into the hole, he accelerated. And then it was over. I don’t think distance is going to be a problem for him.”

El Dinero returned $6.80, $3.20, $2.40.

Never running out of the money, El Dinero’s lifetime record of 9-4-3-2 has earned his connections $293,990.

Late Stallion Givemeaminit Sires First Stakes Winner

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The filly is a member of her sire’s solitary crop.

Late sire and Louisiana champion 3-year-old male Givemeaminit sired his first stakes winner when his daughter Platinum Minit  captured the $125,000 Crescent City Oaks for state-bred sophomore fillies at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 23.

Plantinum Minit is from her sire’s first and only foal crop of just three registered foals. Givemeaminit, a grade 1-placed son of Star Guitar  , succumbed to EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis) during his first season at stud. He stood at his breeder’s farm, Clear Creek Stud, in Louisiana, before his death in 2020.

Platinum Minit’s first black-type score was not without its share of drama. The 3-year-old Dallas Stewart trainee dueled stride for stride to the wire with Clearly a Test , only to be beaten a neck by that rival. She was inevitably declared the winner when stewards ruled she was hampered by Clearly a Test, who failed to keep a straight course the length of the stretch and repeatedly bore into Platinum Minit.

 

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Piloted by Corey Lanerie, Free Like a Girl Adds Shantel Lanerie Memorial to Impressive Stakes Resume

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Free Like A Girl with jockey Corey Lanerie aboard wins the 4th running of the Shantel Lanerie Memorial Stakes named in honor of his late wife. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

 

New Orleans, La (March 24, 2024) – Free Like a Girl racked up another big win, beating out 10 older Louisiana-bred fillies and mares by 1 1/4 lengths in the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Trained by Chasey Pomier, Free Like a Girl’s third stakes win on the meet, along with the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Distaff and Doris Hebert, was the 14th added-money score of her career.

“She loves her job,” Pomier said. “I’ve tried giving her some time in between certain races but she doesn’t have any of it. Bucking and squealing in the shedrow, trying to tear down the stall, so I just give in and train her. Corey (jockey Lanerie) put on a perfect ride and we were  very excited to win this race.”

Jockey Corey Laneire guided her through the one mile 70 yards on the “fast” main track in 1:43.06. In the race named in memory of his departed wife who passed away from complications with breast cancer, Lanerie has now won back-to-back editions, having piloted Nosilverspoomshere in 2023.

Jockey Corey Lanerie aboard Free Like A Girl points skyward after winning the Shantel Lanerie Memorial Stakes, named after his late wife. Hodges Photography / Jan Brubaker

“I want to thank Chasey for letting me ride such a nice horse in such a special race,” Lanerie said. “In Shantel’s memory. It means a lot to me. I was on the best horse, but it got a little eventful at the 5/16ths pole. As I went to pass the 10 horse, he went to spread the turn a little bit, a little more than I wanted. I got a little nervous when Marcelino (Pedroza aboard A G’s Charlotte) cut the corner on me, but she (Free Like a Girl) was just the best horse and gave me the extra effort. She wasn’t going to let anybody by. All my family on both sides come here to support me. We will always be family.”

Thetruthisthetruth showed the way sharply, recording opening quarters of :23.55 and :46.60. Free Like a Girl stalked in the four path through the far turn, but when floated wide had to recover to offer a late rally. Passing Thetruthisthetruth in midstretch, Free Like a Girl finished professionally as Muchmorethanready closed from last to get up for second. A G’s Charlotte got up for third.

With yet another notch in her stakes win belt, Free Like a Girl bolstered her career mark to 37-17-10-5 with earnings of $1,305,978.

Free Like a Girl returned $3.20, $2.60 and $2.20. Muchmorethanready paid out $6.00 and $3.60 and A G’s Charlotte was worth $2.80 to show.

Louisiana-bred Win Machine Touchuponaster Entered to Take On Mineshaft Superfecta in New Orleans Classic

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Former NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme could call an audible and instead run in Sunday’s restricted Star Guitar Stakes

New Orleans, La (March 20, 2024) – The winner of 11 of 14 career starts, the Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar has been installed as Mike Diliberto’s 3-1 morning line favorite over the top four finishers from the Mineshaft (G3) and five others for Saturday’s nine furlong $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) presented by Relyne GI by Hagyard.

            Purchased for just $14,000 as a yearling, Touchuponastar has only run against open company twice in his career – finishing a game second behind Frosted Grace in the Steve Sexton Mile (G3) at Lone Star in May 2023 and later winning the Delta Mile at Delta Downs in November. The 5-year-old gelded son of Star Guitar has won seven Louisiana-breds stakes and has banked over $700,000 along the way.

            Owned by Set-Hut Stables of former NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme, Touchuponastar is trained by his brother Jeff. He is also entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes presented by Brittlyn Stables. Restricted to Louisiana-breds four-year-olds and up, the Star Guitar will be run at 1 1/16 miles. Should he choose that route, Touchuponastar is expected to be an odds-on favorite over the upstart Jack Hammer and five others.

            “I honestly haven’t made a concrete decision yet,” Delhomme said in regards to which race Touchuponastar will run in. “All I will say is that the horse is doing extremely well at the moment.”

Jockey Tim Thornton, who has been aboard for every one of his races sans the career debut, would partner with Touchuponastar once again on Saturday and the duo will break from post three.

Claimed in August at Saratoga for $35,000, Jordan Wycoff’s Money Supply finished second in his first try for the new barn, but he’s since rattled off five consecutive wins, including the locally run Claiming Crown Jewel on Dec. 2 and most recently the Mineshaft (G3), also at Fair Grounds.

Sent off at odds of 9-1 over a track rated as sloppy in the Mineshaft, Money Supply rated mid-pack behind the hot pace set by the favored Best Actor. All in midway through the far turn, the Joe Sharp-trainee sustained his bid all the way to the wire, edging the suborn pacesetter by a head to earn his first career graded stakes win. Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard for the Mineshaft score, has the return call and the duo will break from post five at 9-2 in the morning line.

            Sent off as the 3-5 favorite in the Mineshaft, Steve Moger’s Best Actor did all the dirty work, battling through a rigorous opening half mile of 46.97. He shook off the pesky presser Dubyuhnell on the far turn and dug in gamely, only to lose the narrow decision.

“He’s doing great,” trainer Brad Cox said. “He always lets you know when he’s ready to run. We missed a little time with him when we first got down here. He was doing really well when he ran in the Mineshaft and we like what we’ve seen from him since. A little bit deeper race, a little more pace this time around, but he’s doing well. If he gets the right set-up. I’m not sure if he’ll make the lead but he’ll be close. Flavien (Prat) knows him well from riding down here and in New York. I expect him to run big.”

The 5-year-old son of Flatter won the Smarty Jones (G3) as a 3-year-old and he placed in both the Indiana Derby (G3) and Oklahoma Derby (G3) that same season for trainer Brad Cox. Flavien Prat, who has been aboard Best Actor in his last three starts, gets the call from post nine aboard the 7-2 second choice in the morning line.

Here is the complete field for the New Orleans Classic from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): 1. Red Route One, a career earner of over $1.2 million; (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen, 6-1); 2. Gasoline, a four-time winner who got his first graded stakes placing in the Mineshaft last out (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 8-1 ML); 3. Touchuponastar (Timothy Thornton, Jeff Delhomme, 3-1); 4. Black Belt, winner of a second-level optional claiming allowance last out at Gulfstream (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Peter Walder, 10-1); 5. Money Supply (Tyler Gaffalione, Joe Sharp, 9-2) 6. Happy American, a G3 winner who finished 3rd in the Stephen Foster (G1) last year (Corey Lanerie, Neil Pessin, 30-1); 7. Super Cortino (Arg), a group 1 winner in his native Chile who was last seen finishing up the track in the 2023 Dubai World Cup (G1) (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Ignacio Correas IV, 12-1); 8. Velocitor, a recent upset winner of a second-level optional claiming allowance at Fair Grounds (David Cohen, Gary Scherer, 10-1); 9. Best Actor (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox, 7-2); and 10. Lure Him In, recently second behind Black Belt in a second-level optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream (Edwin Gonzales, Saffie Joseph, Jr., 10-1)

With a post time of 4:04 p.m. CT, the New Orleans Classic (G2) presented by Relyne GI by Hagyard is scheduled as the 9th of 12 races and is one of eight stakes on Saturday’s “Louisiana Derby Day” card. With $3 million in purses up for grabs, the program also features the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) presented by Fasig-Tipton — 100-50-25-15-10 points races on the Road to the 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and the Longines Kentucky Oaks. First post is noon CT.

A G’s Charlotte Toys with Red Camela Rivals

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A G’s Charlotte with Marcelino aboard wins the 48th running of the Red Camelia Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Tom Galvin’s homebred A G’s Charlotte toyed with her six statebred rivals before taking over in the homestretch to win the $100,000 Red Camela at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday. Sensing her dominance over the field, the 6-5 favorite shifted from tracking the leader to a fierce stalk, making her run at the eighth pole and drawing away to win by 2 1/2 lengths.

Trained by Patricia West, the daughter of Mo Tom received the services of Marcelino Pedroza Jr. With the day’s races taken off the turf, A G’s Charlotte went 1 mile 70 yards in 1:44.78 over a main track labeled “muddy.”

“I wasn’t disappointed that the race was taken off the turf,” West said. “I think she is better on the dirt. It seems like she just keeps getting better with age, so we’ll keep going with her.”

Speedy Dudette gained control of the lead out of the gate set :24.28 and :47:84 opening quarters. A G’s Charlotte dropped to the rail in tracking position as Vale Male stalked the leader. Looking to assert herself, A G’s Charlotte began moving up the rail to split those two forward foes and begin breathing down Speedy Dudette’s throatlatch. Keeping her measured up through the far turn, A G’s Charlotte set down a run and bid past Speedy Dudette at the eighth pole. The front runner was able to hold on for second as Spirited Beauty came charging up the rail late for third.

“Thank you to Patricia West for this mount,” Pedroza said. “It was a perfect trip. I was right where I wanted to be, behind the speed. She took me to the front earlier than I wanted to. I know how she is, she likes a little competition in the end, but it all worked out.”

Three of A G’s Charlotte’s four stakes wins have come at Fair Grounds and she boasts the proud title of having earned West her first career stakes victory in the 2022 Big World Stakes. With a career record of 25-9-8-3, the 5-year-old mare has $458,410 in the bank.

A G’s Charlotte paid $4.60, $3.00, and $2.20.