Faucheux Wins First Trainer's Title at Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots wrapped up the 149th season of racing March 28, and while times were a bit more trying because of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, simulcast business was exceptionally strong due to the tremendous support from both horseman and bettors alike. The meet, which kicked off with the traditional Thanksgiving Day opener Nov. 26, included 76 racing days and was highlighted by the 108th running of the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) won by California invader Hot Rod Charlie  March 20.

"It was a meet like no other but we are extremely proud of everyone who came together to put out a great product on a day-in, day-out basis," Fair Grounds senior director of racing Jason Boulet said. "We are extremely grateful to the horseman and our fans and bettors for their continued support throughout the meet."

Trainer Ron Faucheux won his coveted first ever trainer's title with 40 wins, while dethroning four-time defending champion and Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox (37 wins) in the process. Both 11-time local titlist Tom Amoss (35), as well as Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen (33), made runs at Faucheux, with the former holding the lead for much of the meet, while Joe Sharp completed the top five with 23 wins.

Faucheux scored a stakes win with Monte Man  in the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint in December and in the end the New Orleans native was too strong from start-to-finish to secure a title that clearly hit close to home.

"It means the world," Faucheux said. "Being here, being from New Orleans, and coming to this track since I was a child. This is what it's all about. We have so many people that put their faith in us. I have some great owners. I have the best help. This is my track; this is the best track in the country, as far as I'm concerned, and it's a privilege and an honor to be a part of it."

Cox, who was in contention for a five-peat until the penultimate day of racing, left with plenty of hardware of his own. He won the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) with Travel Column  and the Risen Star Sakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) with Mandaloun , along with three other stakes. Asmussen had a strong meet as well, winning six stakes. Clairiere 's win in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) was the barn highlight, though Midnight Bourbon  flashed his Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) form when he won the Lecomte Stakes (G3) in January to kick off the local 3-year-old stakes series. Asmussen also posted his remarkable 100th career Fair Grounds stakes when Joy's Rocket  captured the Letellier Memorial Dec. 19.

James Graham not only repeated to win the jockey's title for the third time, but he obliterated his total of 63 wins last year, posting a seismic 88 on the board to hold off Adam Beschizza (85), with Mitchell Murrill (73) nabbing a podium finish as well. Colby Hernandez (69) bested his brother Brian (56) to round out the top five.

"It means everything," Graham said. "We kept digging away and plowing through and doing what we had to do. My stock ran really good this year and everything ran accordingly. It's been a fantastic meet. You can't race anywhere better in the wintertime; Fair Grounds is the best. I'm over the moon and ecstatic."

Beschizza, buoyed by eight stakes wins, led all jockeys in purses earned with $3,115,764, edging Graham, who checked in with $2,996,153. Brian Hernandez Jr. and Florent Geroux also enjoyed strong meets with seven stakes wins apiece.

The owners' race went down to the wire as well, with Godolphin edging Chester Thomas' Allied Racing Stable 13-12, with End Zone Athletics checking in third with 11. Maggi Moss (9) was fourth, with Evelyn Benoit's Brittlyn Stable, Wayne T. Davis, Whispering Oaks Farm, and Winalot Racing rounding out the top five with eight wins apiece. 

Godolphin led in purses won with $767,440, with the heavy lifting coming from Maxfield , who scored stakes wins in the Tenacious in December and Louisiana (G3) in January for trainer Brendan Walsh. In addition, their Proxy  was second in the in the Lecomte and Risen Star, and fourth in the Louisiana Derby, for trainer Mike Stidham.

Twelve horses won at least three races at the meet, with All Fact  and Treys Midnight Moon leading the way with four each. Big Time , Dalika , Elle Z , Logical Myth , and Maxfield all won two stakes at the meet.

Both Handle and betting support were strong from opening day to closing day, no doubt helped by the elimination of the Black Gold 5, a jackpot Pk5 bet which was replaced by a traditional early and late Pk5, which were welcomed by handicappers. As a result, from the strong simulcast handle, management was able to raise purses 10% across the board three separate times at the meet, which only strengthened an already sterling local product. And while the often-unpredictable local weather made turf racing a challenge, racing secretary Scott Jones was more than happy with the end result, while eagerly looking ahead to a milestone 150th season next November.

"We would like to thank all the horsemen for their continued support which makes Fair Grounds one of the premier winter destinations and I'm looking forward to our 150th season," Jones said. "Considering it was one of the wettest winters in New Orleans and all the other challenges, handle was very strong and we were able to raise purses three times at the meet."