Lagynos Impresses in $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes presented by Horse Racing Nation
NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 14, 2026) — HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud’s Lagynos made a bold three-wide move around the far turn and kicked clear late for a 2 ¼- length victory in Saturday’s $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes presented by Horse Racing Nation (Grade 3) on Louisiana Derby Preview Day at Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots.
Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jose Ortiz, Lagynos completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.02 over the rated “firm” Stall-Wilson Turf Course.
It was a perfect start to the Fair Grounds Stakes with Idratherbeblessed taking command of the field into the first turn with a composed :23.53 quarter-mile. Up the backstretch, Lagynos was positioned in third by Oritz, tracking Idratherbeblessed and the comebacking Brilliant Berti. Following a half-mile in :48.13, Lagynos began to make his move while remaining three wide. At the top of the stretch, Lagynos hit the front and held off the closing kick of 2-1 favorite Montador.
Kapuna rallied down the center of the turf to finish third. He was followed by Brilliant Berti, Sand Pipes, Cameo Performance, Point Proven, Gigante, Idratherbeblessed and Agate Road.
“My horse broke well and was able to put him in a forward position,” Ortiz said. “When I had to ask him to go, he was there for me the entire way. We were a little worried going this far before. I just had to try to go at the right time. When I asked him to go he responded beautifully.”
“He’s a lovely horse, we’re very fortunate to have him,” Asmussen said. “Jose (Ortiz) did a great job to help him get this distance. He relaxed beautifully and kicked home powerfully.”
With his victory in the Fair Grounds Stakes, Lagynos improved his career record to 24-5-5-7 with purse earnings of $1,830,166.
Lagynos is a 5-year-old chestnut son of Kantharos out of the Speightstown mare Steamy. He was bred in Kentucky by Robert Spiegel.
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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.
