Louisiana’s Best to Be Showcased Over Six Closing-Weekend Stakes at Fair Grounds
At 0h37, on March 20, 2026 • By Fair Grounds Race Course
The closing weekend of the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots 2025-26 racing season will feature 11 stakes races, six of them written for Louisiana-breds. A pair are set for Saturday, March 21, and four will be run on Sunday, March 22. Some of the best Louisiana-breds in training will be featured, including Braken Poppa, Nine Part, Our Moneyman, Margie’s Intention, Blue Fire, Synthetic, and Sippin On Gin.
First up Saturday is the 1 mile 70-yard $100,000 Crescent City Oaks. Slated as Race 2 on the 14-race program, a field of seven Louisiana-bred fillies is led by Braken Poppa. Tabbed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite, Braken Poppa boasts a stellar 3-for-4 record and is undefeated going two turns, winning all three starts at Fair Grounds in increasingly impressive fashion, including a decisive score in the $100,000 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year Stakes on Feb. 28. Owned by Bradley Kent and Ken Reimer and trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the daughter of Aurelius Maximus will be guided by leading rider Jose Ortiz.
Thirteen entered, and a dozen older statebred turf sprinters will line up in the 5 1/2-furlong $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes, scheduled as Race 8 on Louisiana Derby Day, the opening leg of an estimated $1 million All-Stakes Pick 5. Tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite, Keith Plaisance’s Nine Part will take on stakes company for the first time in just his second turf attempt after dominating six rivals by 2 1/4 lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs Feb. 21 for trainer Bobby Felks. A five-time winner from six starts who has never lost at Fair Grounds, Nine Part will again be ridden by Jose Ortiz.
First post for Saturday’s 14-race Louisiana Derby Day program is 1:00 p.m.
