Expanded Road to the Derby Series Highlighted at Fair Grounds Meet

[Wandering Eyes]

For its 150th anniversary racing season, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will boast 59 stakes worth a combined $7.795 million–up more than $600,000 from last season–during its 80-day, 2021-22 Thoroughbred meet, which is set to begin Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25.

“Fair Grounds Race Track is embedded in the history of New Orleans,” said Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots president Doug Shipley. “We have always been very proud to be part of such a great city and this year marks the 150th anniversary of our inaugural season. We are very excited to continue our growth and support of the Thoroughbred racing industry with our purse allocation and this year's diverse and dynamic stakes schedule. Having not only the best fans, but also the best horsemen and jockeys from all around the world provides an unforgettable experience of high caliber racing at The Fair Grounds.”

The “Louisiana Derby Day” card Mar. 26 will feature eight stakes worth a total of $2.525 million, including the 109th running of the $1-million GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. The Louisiana Derby is worth 100-40-20-10 points to the top four finishers and is the fourth and final local prep on the Road to the GI Kentucky Derby. The 54th running of the GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks offers 100-40-20-10 en route to the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks.

A pair of brand new 2-year-old stakes with Kentucky Derby and Oaks point implications (10-4-2-1) have been added to the Fair Grounds stakes schedule for the Dec. 26 “Road to the Derby Kickoff Day” card. The $100,000 Gun Runner S. will be contested at 1 1/16 miles and the $100,000 Untapable S. for fillies will be run over one mile and 70 yards.

On Jan. 22, the “Road to the Derby Day presented by Hotel Monteleone” features a pair of key 3-year-old events–the GIII Lecomte S. and the Silverbulletday S. The top four finishers in each race receive 10-4-2-1 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

On Feb. 19, “Louisiana Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Ford-Lincoln” features a pair of key 3-year-old stakes — the GII Risen Star S. and the GII Rachel Alexandra S. The top four finishers receive 50-20-10-5 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

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