Overfilled Costa Rising Kicks Off Estimated $1 Million All-Stakes Pick 5
NEW ORLEANS (March 16, 2026) – Thirteen entered, and a dozen older statebred turf sprinters will run in the 5 ½-furlong $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes on Louisiana Derby Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The Costa Rising will serve as the first leg of an estimated $1 million All-Stakes Pick 5 that covers four graded stakes, two turf affairs, and concludes with the Grade 2 $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby.
Tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite, Keith Plaisance’s Nine Part is set to take on stakes company for the first time in just his second try on the turf. The first came Feb. 21, going 5 1/2 furlongs, when the Bobby Felks trainee dominated six rivals, including three entered in the Costa Rising, by 2 1/4 lengths. Never out of the money in six starts, Nine Part is a five-time winner who has never lost at Fair Grounds. Jose Ortiz takes the call.
In a wide-open race, the top contenders include Strong Promise, an eight-time winner trained by Allen Landry, who most recently won the Premier Night Sprint at Delta Downs and has two wins from three starts on the turf. Also in the mix is Jayde Gelner-owned and -trained Big Chopper, who enters sharp after winning his last start at one mile and takes a similar path to when he backed up his victory in the Eddie Johnston Memorial Stakes by scoring in this race in 2023.
The Costa Rising will go as Race 8.
First post for Saturday’s 14-race Louisiana Derby Day program is noon.
Here is the complete field for the Costa Rising Stakes, from the rail out, with jockey, trainer and morning-line odds:
Nine Part (Ortiz, Felks, 3-1)
Strong Promise (Jensen Melancon, Allen Landry, 6-1)
Hay Jude (Isaac Castillo, Tom Amoss, 5-1)
Sassi D (James Graham, Lee Thomas, 10-1)
Monsieur Candy (Jareth Loveberry, Larry Rivelli, 9-2)
Clear as a Bele (Axel Concepcion, David Terre, 15-1)
Big Chopper (Jamison Mudd, Jayde Gelner, 15-1)
Chad’s Flashy Ways (Juan Vargas, Wesley Ward, 20-1)
Sounds Like Power (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Randy Degeyter Jr., 8-1)
Smash It (Ben Curtis, Brendan Walsh, 10-1)
Take Charge J J (Emanuel Nieves, Eric Henry, 20-1)
Dr. My Eyes (Luis Saez, Grant Forster, 20-1)
Buy the Rights (Axel Concepcion, Michelle Lovell, 20-1) AE
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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 13 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 154th Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 113th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 20, 2025 through March 22, 2026. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.
