Don’t Forget About the Fairgrounds Meet
One of the best fall and winter meets of the year is underway. The annual Fairgrounds Meet in New Orleans, Louisiana, has led to a multitude of star runners. Below, I highlight four of the most prestigious races at the Fairgrounds Meet.
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Grade 2 Louisiana Derby
In preparation for the Kentucky Derby, Gun Runner won the G2 Louisiana Derby. Gun Runner finished 4th in the Kentucky Derby. He'd go on to become the best horse in the world after winning the 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic. In that race, the Steve Asmussen trainee beat Arrogate, the 2017 Dubai World Cup winner.
The Louisiana Derby has produced a Kentucky Derby Winner. In 1996 Grindstone, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, beat Bob Baffert's first Kentucky Derby contender, Cavonnier.
Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap
In 2014, Palace Malice held off Normandy Invasion for the win the New Orleans Handicap. Palace Malice had won the 2013 Belmont Stakes. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he was, arguably, the top older horse to run in North America in 2014.
Palace Malice isn't the most famous horse to win the New Orleans Handicap. Both Mineshaft in 2003 and Peace Rules in 2004 were two of the best in the year they won the N.O. Handicap. Mineshaft took down horse of the year honors in 2003.
Grade 2 Fairgrounds Oaks
Retired in 2016, Untapable is one of the most accomplished horses that Steve Asmussen has ever trained. Asmussen usually saddles numerous horses at the Fairgrounds Meet. This year should be no different.
Although not as accomplished as Rachel Alexandra, Untapable proved herself by winning the Cotillion, the Mother Goose, and the Breeders' Cup Classic. In 2014, she parlayed her win in the Fairground Oaks to a Kentucky Oaks victory.
Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes
The great D. Wayne Lukas saddled a Triple Crown Race winner as long ago as 2013. Oxbow shocked the field in the Preakness Stakes. Before even trying the Triple Crown, Lukas saddled Oxbow to a win in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes. The Lecomte is Fairgrounds' prep for the Louisiana Derby.
The 2017-2018 Fairgrounds Meet runs from Nov. 18, 2017 through March 31, 2018. Get in on all the Fairgrounds Racing action!
Check it out!
Grade 2 Louisiana Derby
In preparation for the Kentucky Derby, Gun Runner won the G2 Louisiana Derby. Gun Runner finished 4th in the Kentucky Derby. He'd go on to become the best horse in the world after winning the 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic. In that race, the Steve Asmussen trainee beat Arrogate, the 2017 Dubai World Cup winner.
The Louisiana Derby has produced a Kentucky Derby Winner. In 1996 Grindstone, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, beat Bob Baffert's first Kentucky Derby contender, Cavonnier.
Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap
In 2014, Palace Malice held off Normandy Invasion for the win the New Orleans Handicap. Palace Malice had won the 2013 Belmont Stakes. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he was, arguably, the top older horse to run in North America in 2014.
Palace Malice isn't the most famous horse to win the New Orleans Handicap. Both Mineshaft in 2003 and Peace Rules in 2004 were two of the best in the year they won the N.O. Handicap. Mineshaft took down horse of the year honors in 2003.
Grade 2 Fairgrounds Oaks
Retired in 2016, Untapable is one of the most accomplished horses that Steve Asmussen has ever trained. Asmussen usually saddles numerous horses at the Fairgrounds Meet. This year should be no different.
Although not as accomplished as Rachel Alexandra, Untapable proved herself by winning the Cotillion, the Mother Goose, and the Breeders' Cup Classic. In 2014, she parlayed her win in the Fairground Oaks to a Kentucky Oaks victory.
Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes
The great D. Wayne Lukas saddled a Triple Crown Race winner as long ago as 2013. Oxbow shocked the field in the Preakness Stakes. Before even trying the Triple Crown, Lukas saddled Oxbow to a win in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes. The Lecomte is Fairgrounds' prep for the Louisiana Derby.
The 2017-2018 Fairgrounds Meet runs from Nov. 18, 2017 through March 31, 2018. Get in on all the Fairgrounds Racing action!
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