Grade 2 $1 Million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby Highlights Fair Grounds’ 2025-26 Stakes Schedule

Road to the Derby paved with $1.875 million

70-day meet to offer 56 stakes totaling $8.65 million

NEW ORLEANS (Sept. 3, 2025) — Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has released its 2025-26 stakes schedule, led by the Grade 2 $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby. After an increase last season, Fair Grounds’ Road to the 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 (G2) at 1 3/16 miles. The race awards 100-50-25-15-10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). The card also includes the Grade 2 $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks, run at 1 1/16 miles, which offers the same point structure toward the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Louisiana Derby Preview Day, on Feb. 14, will feature the Grade 2 $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Risen Star and the Grade 2 $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra. 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, Road to the Derby Day will include six stakes, headlined by the Grade 3 $250,000 Lecomte Stakes and the $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Silverbulletday Stakes. Both races offer 20-10-6-4-2 points toward the Derby and Oaks, respectively.

Headlined by the $100,000 Gun Runner, a trio of stakes are scheduled for Road to the Derby Kickoff Day on Dec. 20, including the $100,000 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 HBPA and approved by the Louisiana Racing Commission. Purses for maiden special weights have been set at $54,000, while 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 $175,000 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 Grade 2 $500,000 New Orleans Classic on March 21. The series begins with the $100,000 Tenacious on Dec. 20, followed by the Grade 3 $175,000 Louisiana on Jan. 17, and the Grade 3 $250,000 Mineshaft on Feb. 14. All three will again be presented by Hagyard.

The open-company turf route series concludes with the Grade 2 $300,000 Muniz Memorial at 1 1/8 miles on March 21. It begins with the $100,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 17, and continues with the Grade 3 $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes on Feb. 14. All three races are presented by Horse Racing Nation.

The filly and mare turf route series culminates in the $150,000 Tom Benson Memorial on March 21. It begins with the $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial on Jan. 17, followed by the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial on Feb. 14. Both are run at 1 1/16 miles.

Two open-company turf sprints are scheduled: the $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner on Jan. 17 and the $100,000 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 $100,000 Pan Zareta on Nov. 29, the $100,000 Nelson J. Menard Memorial on Jan. 10, and the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Closing Day, on Sunday, March 22, will feature three Louisiana-bred stakes—each worth $100,000: the Star Guitar Stakes Presented by Brittlyn Stable (1 1/16 miles), the Shantel Lanerie Memorial (fillies and mares, 1 mile and 70 yards), 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.

Regular post time during the meet will be 12:45 p.m. Central, except for noon post times on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 17), Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 14), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 21).

The full 2025–26 stakes schedule will be available soon at www.fgno.com.