Normandy Invasion Training at Fair Grounds

Fox Hill Farm's Normandy Invasion has returned to the track under the tutelage of Larry Jones, the second-leading trainer at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. 



Arriving at the New Orleans oval Jan. 29, the son of Tapit   has settled into his new surroundings and has recovered well from fracturing a right sesamoid last October. Normandy Invasion was previously trained by Chad Brown.



Dr. Larry Bramlage performed the surgery on Normandy Invasion and oversaw the rehabilitation of the 5-year-old horse.



"If Normandy Invasion can hold up and Bramlage thinks he has a good chance, he could have a very good year," said Fox Hill Farm principal Rick Porter. "He is probably as good or better than any horse I've ever had other than (2011 Horse of the Year) Havre de Grace. If he can stay sound, he's going to make a lot of noise."



While under the supervision of Brown, the Kentucky-bred bay ran nine times with a record of 2-3-0 and earnings of $504,390. His efforts included a driving second to Verrazano   in the Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack in April 2013, a good fourth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) after taking a brief lead in early stretch, and a track record-setting mile win at Gulfstream Park in his 4-year-old debut in February 2014. 



Normandy Invasion has twice started at Fair Grounds and was favored each time. He finished fifth in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) in 2013, and second behind Palace Malice in last year's New Orleans Handicap (gr. II).