The Fairgrounds Opens With Deposits on Thanksgiving Day

Like turkey and cranberries, Mardi Gras and masks—some things traditionally just fused together. This couldn’t be more true Fair Grounds & Slots, where for 150 years, opening day has combined horse racing with Thanksgiving.

Now, after a year without spectators, the season will kick off on November 25 with lots of buzz around full barns, new riders, returning championship connections and the addition of seven new stake races.

Ron Faucheux, who claimed his first local crown last season, and three-time champion jockey James Graham return to defend their title in 80 days of racing, continuing through to the end. March 27. They will have multiple competitions, including from several newcomers to the track — at least one on the equestrian front. Jareth Loveberry and Reylu Gutierrez were additions to the equestrian colony.

Ninety horses and five noble horses were entered in nine races Thursday, despite only seven in the traditional opening-day schedule, the $150,000 vintage Thanksgiving set. for its 97th run. Also on the card are $75,000 Joseph R. Peluso Memorial Stakes, named for the longtime racing official who passed away last year.

Classic Thanksgiving has made a mark Greeley and Ben , with Necker Island , Went to the West , Attack Power , and Just Might other top contenders. Both Necker and Just Might Island stakes won this fall at Churchill Downs.

Necker Island’s Churchill victory came earlier this month in the Bet on Sunshine Stakes.

Coach Chris Hartman said: “We had a bit of a short time with this guy but he’s been in pretty good form.” “His energy level is good, he has a lot of flesh and he’s doing really well. We think it’s best to attack while the iron is hot. I think he’ll enjoy that track.”

Both Strike Power and Just Might drop from the graded stake. Courtlandt Farms’ Strike Power is sixth in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) handicap at Racecourse Saratoga last, while Griffon Farms and Michelle Lovell’s Just Might finished sixth last month in Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.

“He just took his dick,” Lovell said of Just Might. “He was very gentle walking home. He ended up bumping into the flesh of his heel and tearing the protective sheath. It healed easily. Last week, he had a the breeze was nice and he’s delivered the cargo (to the Fair Grounds) and he’s ready to roll. He should be better because it’s not an easy position.”

From the Phoenix, victory Special Reserve finished fourth in the Qatar Racing Breeder’s Cup (G1) Sprint on November 6 at Del Mar, a race in which Phoenix finished second Hello West Caught by a nose has a late rally.

Before losing the final battle, Just Might had won four shares in a row — Louisville Thoroughbred Society Shares at Churchill Downs, Chesapeake Stocks, and Da Hoss Stocks at Colony Downs, and Mighty Beau Overnight Stock at Churchill. 5 year old child Justin Phillips gelding also won a Colonel Power Share at the Fair Grounds in February.

The usual posting time will be 1:05pm CT, although there will be a first post at noon earlier on Thanksgiving Day, Louisiana Championship Day (December 11), Road to Derby Start Day ( December 26), Road to Derby Day (January 22), Louisiana Derby Preview Day (February 19), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 26). There will be more than $7 million in stake races, highlighted by the March 26 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), which is worth $1 million. A complete list of staking schedules can be found Online.