Closing Day Stakes Led by He’s Late Again on Time in $100,000 Star Guitar

Kevin Kilroy
Racing Analyst/Notes Writer
Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Colonial Downs

NEW ORLEANS (March 21, 2026) – Closing Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots delivered a series of standout performances, highlighted by George Messina’s He’s Late Again rallying from off the pace to capture the $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes and headline a strong stakes lineup. From late-running heroics to front-running control, the card showcased depth among Louisiana-breds and emerging stars across multiple divisions.

He's Late Again, with Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. aboard, wins the 17th running of the $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes at Fair Grounds Racecourse in New Orleans, LA. 

Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.

George Messina’s He’s Late Again nailed Letmikefigureitout at the wire to win the $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes presented by Brittlyn Stables.

A recent claim by Messina, He’s Late Again made his first start for trainer Brad Cox. Ridden by Marcelino Pedroza Jr., He’s Late Again covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.12.

After a slow break, He’s Late Again settled at the back of a nine-horse field of older males as Benoit took the lead, with Letmikefigureitout in hot pursuit. Rallying wide out of the far turn, He’s Late Again unleashed a strong late kick to run down Letmikefigureitout, who had pulled away from the field. In the final stages, He’s Late Again surged past Letmikefigureitout to win by a head.

“We got off to a bad start and I wanted to be more forward in the race,” Pedroza said. “But they were going pretty quick out front so I felt comfortable settling in back. When he began pulling on me, I positioned him out to make his run and my horse never got tired.”

He’s Late Again paid $7.60, $4.60 and $2.60.

The 4-year-old improved his record to 13-6-1-2 and increased his earnings to $311,380.

Our Moneyman, with Axel Concepcion aboard, wins the 54th running of the $100,000 Crescent City Derby at Fairgrounds Racecourse in New Orleans, LA. 

Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.

Earlier on the card, Allied Racing Stables homebred Our Moneyman took the lead in the stretch and held off Wherethehitsare to win the $100,000 Crescent City Derby by three-quarters of a length.

Trained by Bret Calhoun and ridden by Axel Concepcion, Our Moneyman beat a field of five 3-year-old Louisiana-breds, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.23.

“I want to give all the credit to Bret’s team and the owner,” Concepcion said. “He showed up today. In his first try at two turns, he relaxed very well, coming to the quarter pole he started making his move, and was game to the wire.”

After setting the pace, Bubby held on for third.

Our Moneyman paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.10.

“Give Bret Calhoun and his team all the credit,” owner and breeder Chester Thomas said. “We’re delighted Our Moneyman was able to get two turns.”

The son of Mr. Money improved his record to 6-3-3-0 and increased his earnings to $235,977.

Blue Fire, with Florent Geroux aboard, wins the 6th running of the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial Stakes at Fairgrounds Racecourse in New Orleans, LA. 

Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.

On the filly and mare side, graded stakes-placed Blue Fire sped to the lead and held off Margie’s Intention to win the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial.

Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Florent Geroux, Blue Fire covered 1 mile, 70 yards in 1:41.30.

“We were the only speed,” Geroux said. “She was cruising beautifully for me, and when I asked her the question, on top of the lane, she responded.”

“What a great race,” Asmussen said. “These are quality Louisiana-bred mares that can win anywhere.”

Blue Fire entered the race off a second-place finish against open company in the Bugler at Oaklawn Park. Last May, she ran second to Look Forward in the Grade 2 Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill Downs. Margie’s Intention won the 2025 Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico.

Facing three older fillies and mares, Blue Fire paid $4.40 and $2.10.

Blue Fire’s lifetime record is 12-6-4-0, with $503,745 in career earnings.

Sassi Strutter, with Thomas Pompell aboard, wins the 6th running of the $100,000 Ova Charged turf sprint at Fair Grounds Racecourse in New Orleans, LA. 

Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.

Meanwhile, in turf sprint action, Elite Thoroughbred Racing’s Sassi Strutter upset favored Synthetic to win the $100,000 Ova Charged Stakes.

Trained by Lee Thomas and ridden by Tommy Pompell, Sassi Strutter ran 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in 1:03.48.

Breaking from the rail, Sassi Strutter tracked leaders Synthetic and Six String as they dueled throughout. After a brief pause in pace, she angled out in the far turn and launched an outside bid, grinding past both leaders in the stretch.

Sassi Strutter paid $18.60, $4.20 and $4.60.

With her third consecutive stakes win, Sassi Strutter improved her record to 21-9-3-2 with $379,000 in earnings.