Work Tab: Targeting the Louisiana Derby Preview Day  

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Contact: Kevin Kilroy
Notes Writer/Media Relations
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New Orleans, La (Feb. 10, 2021) – As the 3-year-old campaigns build momentum and with Louisiana Derby Preview Day around the corner, the morning workouts at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots have been heating up.


The Louisiana Derby Preview Day showcases six stakes, including the $400,000 Risen Star presented by Relyne GI by Hagyard and the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) presented by Fasig-Tipton. The 1 1/8 miles Risen and the 1 1/16 miles Rachel mark the next stage for Derby and Oaks prep races as they offer 50-20-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers. 


Post positions for the Feb. 18 card (noon CT first post) which also includes the $250,000 Mineshaft Stakes (G3) presented by Relyne GI by Hagyard, the $150,000 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) presented by Horse Racing Nation, the $100,000 Colonel Power Stakes, and the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes will be drawn on Saturday, Feb 11. 


Here’s a roundup of some stand-out morning drills by runners targeting the six stakes, as well as the salty first-level allowance on Friday Feb. 17 for 3-year-old fillies.


Friday, Feb. 10


Surveillance put in a maintenance work ahead of the Colonel Power on Road to the Louisiana Derby Preview day for Keith Desormeaux, breezing 4 furlongs in :49.80. That was his first work since winning the Kenner, one of three stakes victories for the runner from Keith Desormeaux’s barn this meet.


Looking to defend his title in the Fair Grounds Stakes, West Point Thoroughbreds, William Sandbrook, and Robert Masiello’s Cavalry Charge breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.40, 48th best of 89. This was the Dallas Stewart-trainee’s eighth work at the local track since his unsuccessful runs in the Mint Million (G3) at Kentucky Downs and the Arlington Million (G1) at Churchill Downs.


The Louisiana (G2) and Tenacious Stakes winner, Lothenbach Stables’ Happy American breezed 5 furlongs in 1:02.80, 33rd fastest of 41. Trainer Neil Pessin confirmed that Happy American his next start in the Mineshaft (G3) on Saturday, Feb, 18.


Finishing in the money in her last two local stakes starts this meet, Godolphin’s Lake Lucerne breezed ahead of her likely run in the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial on Louisiana Derby Preview Day. Going 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 for trainer Brendan Walsh, which was the 18th fastest of 41 at that distance.


The front-running maiden winner from Norm Casse’s barn, Let It Ride Equine Holdings’ Huntleigh breezed 4 furlongs in :48.60, the 13th best of 89. Nominated for the Rachel Alexandra (G2), instead, her connections have decided to enter the 3-year-old filly in the feature first-level allowance on Friday, Feb 17.


In her second work since finishing fourth in the Silverbulletday, NBS Stable’s Forest Chimes worked in company for trainer Jason Barkley. The 3-year-old filly breezed 4 furlongs in :50.40, 70th fastest of 89. Nominated for the Rachel Alexandra (G2), instead, her connections have decided to enter her in the feature first-level allowance on Friday, Feb 17.


Thursday, Feb. 9


Nominated for the Rachel Alexandra (G2), Three Chimneys Farm’s Grand Love went fastest of 10, breezing 5 furlongs in 1:00.20. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the 3-year-old Gun Runner filly last ran 6th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. 


Wednesday, Feb. 8


Likely to make her next start in the Mardi Gras Stakes on Tuesday, Feb. 21, Dick Perkins’ Pan Zareta-winner Oeuvre fired the 4-furlong bullet for trainer Chris Block, clocking in at :47.80.


Tuesday, Feb. 7


On Tuesday, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Disarm breezed fastest of seven going 5 furlongs in 1:01:00 for trainer Steve Asmussen. Not having raced since his maiden win at Saratoga in August, this was the 3-year-old colt’s 5th local workout


Monday, Feb. 6


A late nomination for the Risen Star (G3), First Defender breezed a sharp 5 furlongs in :59.40, the fastest of 10 on Monday morning. Trained by Steve Asmussen, First Defender made his 6-furlong debut a winning one on the Road to the Derby Day undercard.


The list of nominees and the past performances for all six stakes to be run at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, Feb. 18 can be found here: https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaSNHW.cfm?trk=FG.


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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, LA, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 151st Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 110th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from Nov 18, 2022 through March 26, 2023. More information is available online at www.fairgroundsracecourse.com.

Jockey James Graham aboard Surveillance at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots