A total of 65 stakes worth a combined $8.5 million, up more than $700,000 from last season, will be offered during Fair Grounds's 80-day, 2022-23 Thoroughbred meet, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots announced Tuesday. In each of the 13 unrestricted, non-graded stakes, purses have been increased by $25,000. In addition, 12 new Louisiana-bred stakes have been added to the schedule, including six over the first two days of the meet.
“We worked with the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to come up with these new stakes,” said Fair Grounds' racing secretary Scott Jones. “We're proud to have worked together for the betterment of our sport to create not only the best stakes schedule, but also the richest program we've ever offered in the state.”
The traditional Thanksgiving opening will give way to an earlier start to the meet, with opening day slated for Friday, Nov. 18. Six inaugural $75,000 Louisiana-bred stakes will be run over the dirt course on the season's first two days. Fillies and mares take center stage on Friday in the Happy Ticket (six furlongs) and the Big World (1 mile and 70 yards), both for 3-year-olds and up. The Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial, a 5 1/2-furlong event for 2-year-olds, will also be carded on opening day. Saturday's trio of stakes are a mirror-image in terms of age, distance and surface, but these open Louisiana-bred events are highlighted by a six-furlong dirt sprint named in honor of Ivery Sisters Racing's multiple stakes-winning fan favorite Monte Man, who retired from racing last year at age nine.
“Coming off a very successful 150th anniversary season we can't wait to welcome fans back to experience the best winter racing in New Orleans starting in November,” said Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots' president Doug Shipley. “We have made significant investments at the track which includes our new $1.5-million dollar state-of-the-art Tote board. The new board is one of the best in the country and provides an unparalleled experience. While our season will officially begin Nov. 18, we will still have our Thanksgiving day celebration that has become a staple for the residents of New Orleans.”
GII Louisiana Derby Day is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 25, and it will card eight stakes worth a total of $2.6 million. The 80-day, 2022-2023 Fair Grounds racing season runs through Sunday, Mar. 26. Regular post time will be 1:05 p.m. CT, but opening day post time is 3:00 p.m. CT. There will be an earlier noon CT first post on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24), Louisiana Champions Day (Dec. 10), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Dec. 26), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 21) Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 18), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 25).
For the complete stakes schedule, click here.
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