Fair Grounds sets 2025-26 schedule with 56 stakes

Fair Grounds released its 2025-26 stakes schedule, led by the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby. After an increase last season, Fair Grounds’ road to the Kentucky Derby remains valued at $1.875 million. The track’s 154th racing season will offer 56 stakes worth $8.65 million.

Louisiana Derby Day, set for Saturday, March 21, will feature eight stakes totaling $2.65 million, headlined by the 113th running of the Louisiana Derby at 1 3/16 miles. The race awards 100-50-25-15-10 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby. The card also includes the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), run at 1 1/16 miles, which offers the same point structure toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Louisiana Derby preview day, Feb. 14, will feature the Risen Star (G2) and the Rachel Alexandra (G2). Both races offer 50-25-15-10-5 points on their respective Derby and Oaks trails. Last year’s Rachel Alexandra winner, Good Cheer, went on to win Kentucky Oaks 151.

On Jan. 17, the road to the Derby will include six stakes, headlined by the Lecomte (G3) and theSilverbulletday Stakes. Both races offer 20-10-6-4-2 points toward the Derby and Oaks, respectively.

Headlined by the Gun Runner, a trio of stakes are scheduled for road to the Derby kickoff day on Dec. 20, including the Untapable. Both award 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points on the respective Derby and Oaks paths.

The 70-day meet is set to open on Thursday, Nov. 20, with the potential for two additional dates in March if recommended by the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and approved by the Louisiana Racing Commission. Purses for maiden special weights have been set at $54,000, and allowance races will range from $55,000 to $58,000.

Six Louisiana-bred stakes will be run across the first three race days as preps for Louisiana champions day on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The 101st running of the Thanksgiving Classic, a six-furlong dirt sprint, headlines the Thanksgiving Day card on Nov. 27.

The dirt-route series for older horses builds to the New Orleans Classic (G2) on March 21. The series begins with the Tenacious on Dec. 20, followed by the Louisiana (G3) on Jan. 17 and the Mineshaft (G3) on Feb. 14.

The open-company turf route series concludes with the Muniz Memorial (G2) at 1 1/8 miles March 21. It begins with the Colonel E.R. Bradley at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 17, and continues with the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) on Feb. 14. All three races are presented by Horse Racing Nation.

The filly-and-mare turf-route series culminates in the Tom Benson Memorial on March 21. It begins with the Marie G. Krantz Memorial on Jan. 17, followed by the Albert M. Stall Memorial on Feb. 14. Both are run at 1 1/16 miles.

Two open-company turf sprints are scheduled, the Duncan F. Kenner on Jan. 17 and the Colonel Power on Feb. 14. Both will be run at 5 1/2 furlongs.

A turf-sprint series for older fillies and mares includes the Pan Zareta on Nov. 29, the Nelson J. Menard Memorial on Jan. 10, and the Mardi Gras Stakes on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Closing day, Sunday, March 22, will feature three Louisiana-bred stakes, the Star Guitar Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, the Shantel Lanerie Memorial at 1 mile, 70 yards for fillies and mares and the newly named Ova Charged Stakes, a turf sprint for fillies and mares 3 and up.

The first condition book, compiled by racing secretary Scott Jones, is expected to be published in early September. Stall applications for the 2025–26 meet are due Oct. 6, and the backside opens Sept. 15.