Fair Grounds 80-Day Meet Kicks Off Nov. 18

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is set to open for the 151st meet Friday, Nov 18. Two racing days kick things off at the nation's third-oldest racetrack, and post time will be 3 p.m. (all times Central) Friday and 1:15 p.m. Saturday. Opening weekend of the 80-day Thoroughbred meet includes the inaugural running of six stakes written for Louisiana-breds, serving as preps for Louisiana Champions Day Dec 10.

The meet will feature 65 stakes worth a combined $8.5 million, up more than $700,000 from last season. Working with the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Fair Grounds' racing office created 12 new stakes peppered throughout the schedule, making it the richest program ever offered in Louisiana.

Christmas comes early for horseplayers as Fair Grounds has announced takeout will be lowered to 15% for the Pick 5. Also, a non-jackpot $1 Pick 6, also with a low 15% take,  has been added to the wagering menu. Everyone will get to see the payouts light up the new tote board in the infield.

The progression of the Road to Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prep races continues to attract top connections. Beginning with the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes (Dec. 26) for 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles, the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) (Jan. 21) stays at that same distance, then the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) (Feb. 19) stretches out to 1 1/8 miles. It all culminates in the 1 3/16 miles 1,000,000 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) (March 25).

Much of the excitement around the Derby prep races extends from the presence of perennial powerhouse trainers Steve Asmussen and Brad Cox, who will be back for 2022-23. Dating back to 1994, Asmussen has won 1,081 races at Fair Grounds, including last year's Gun Runner, Risen Star, and Louisiana Derby with Epicenter , and the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) with Echo Zulu . North America's all-time leading trainer, Asmussen's historic 10,000th career win will likely come during the meet.

"We are very much looking forward to welcoming our horsemen back for our 151st season at this historic racetrack," racing secretary Scott Jones said. "Fair Grounds has proven to be one of the premier winter racing destinations. Once again last year, the quality of horses who stabled or came through New Orleans made a huge impact in premier races all over the country."

Titan trainers Tom Amoss, Al Stall Jr., Bret Calhoun, Dallas Stewart, Greg Foley, and Michael Stidham all return with packed barns of stakes-caliber Thoroughbreds.

A new addition to the backside is Ken McPeek, who shipped in Smile Happy  and Rattle N Roll  to last year's Derby preps. With a win in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and the Belmont Stakes (G1) under his belt, he is still on the hunt for his first Kentucky Derby winner.

Beyond McPeek, new barns include trainers John Ortiz, Brian Williamson, and Mike Tomlinson. Robertino Diodoro will have a larger presence than last year, as will Norm Casse, and Chris Davis returns following a year in Florida.

"The owners, the trainers, the jockey colony, the backside workers—there's something special about Fair Grounds that extends from the heritage of horse racing in Louisiana," said racing director Jason Boulet. "With the new tote board, the increased purses, the high-profile connections and the best of the esteemed Louisiana-bred program, we are thrilled for what's in store for our 151st year."

Week two of racing picks back up on Thanksgiving, a well-celebrated New Orleans tradition, with a noon starting time on a card that features the 98th running of the Thanksgiving Classic, last year won by Just Might , the winningest stakes horse in North America in 2021. His trainer Michelle Lovell will be back after winning nine races at a 21% clip last season.

Coming off back-to-back trainer and jockey titles, all connections will be targeting Ron Faucheux and James Graham. Faucheux consistently excels at Fair Grounds, and sitting at 283 local wins; the barn will assuredly surpass 300 this meet. No active jockey comes close to James Graham's career 1,283 wins at Fair Grounds, but there are three new yet familiar additions to this year's colony who have had their lion's share of success.

Famed pilot of Gun Runner  , Monomoy Girl , The Pizza Man , and 2021 Kentucky Derby-winner Mandaloun  , Florent Geroux returns to Fair Grounds seeking his next world-traveling, grade-1 winning mount. With two riding titles and a 22% career win rate at Fair Grounds, Geroux will be back looking to pick up where he left off in 2020-21.

Newcomers to the colony include David Cohen, who rode last winter at Oaklawn Park. Coming off a successful year riding in Kentucky where he got first call on a lot of Tom Amoss horses, Edgar Morales moves his tack back south, where he rode three meets during 2017-20.

The 80-day, 2022-23 Fair Grounds racing season runs through Sunday, March 26. Regular post time will be 1:15 p.m., but there will be an earlier noon first post on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24), Louisiana Champions Day (Dec 10), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Dec. 26), Road to the Derby Day presented by Hotel Monteleone (Jan. 21), Louisiana Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Ford-Lincoln (Feb. 18), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 25).

A complete list of the racing days and stakes schedule can be found here.