Louisiana Derby Preview Day Undercard Races are Stacked — big ticket items, classy pedigrees & top connections prominent in non-stakes events

 

 

New Orleans, La (Feb. 14, 2025) – The marquee events on Saturday’s Louisiana Derby Preview Day card at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots are undoubtedly the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star (G2) and the Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra (G2) – offering 50-25-15-10-5 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby & Oaks respectively.

Some of the top jockeys in the nation, including 2024 Eclipse Award winner Flavian Prat, Irad Ortiz, Jr., Tyler Gaffalione & Luis Saez, will invade New Orleans to join highly accomplished local riders Jose Ortiz, Brian Hernandez, Jr. and Florent Geroux, to name just a few.

The quartet of supporting stakes add additional strength to the 14-race card, but don’t sleep on the undercard maiden & allowance races run earlier on the card (first post noon CT) as intriguing horses and excellent wagering opportunities abound.

Be aware that a Pick Five wager has been ADDED to race 5. Below are the featured multi-race wagers on the Saturday card.

·       50-cent Pick Five (15% takeout) – begin in races 1, 5 (added, not listed) & 10 ($1 million estimated pool)

·       50-cent Pick Four – begin in races, 2, 4, 7 & 11

·       $1 Pick Six (15% takeout) – race 9 (no jackpot provision). Carryover = $3,612

 

Undercard (non-stakes) races

Race 1 – Maiden special weight, 3yo fillies at 5 ½ furlongs TURF (Pick Five)

·       Field size: 10 (1 MTO)

·       ML favorite: #6 Tempting Eve (Geroux/Hartman) 3-1

 

Race 2 — $100K/ALW 1x, 3yo fillies at 1 1/16 miles (Pick Four)

·       Field size: 5

·       ML favorite: #5 Golden Gamble (B. Hernandez, Jr./McPeek) 2-1

·       #1 Pretty Sassy is a half sister to Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous

 

Race 3 – Maiden special weight, Louisiana-bred, 3yo fillies at 1 mile (Pick Three)

·       Field size: 9

·       ML favorite: #8 Moonie Pie (Pedroza, Jr./David, Jr.) 5-2

·       #1 Canal St (McKenzie/You Laughin) sibling Zenden Grade 1 winner of the Golden Shaheen

 

Race 4 – Maiden special weight, 3yo fillies at 6 furlongs (Pick Four)

·       Field size: 9

·       ML favorite: #2 Atarah (Saez/Walden) 3-1

·       #3 Velvet Vortex is a half to Grade 1 winner Faiza & #5 Bundle ($1,150,000 Keeneland yearling purchase) is out of the Grade 1 winning dam Love and Pride

 

Race 5 – 1x ALW, 4yo & up, 1 mile TURF (Pick Five ADDED)

·       Field size: 12 (2 AE, 2 MTO)

·       ML favorite: #7 Sicilian Defense (J. Ortiz/DeVaux) 7-2

 

Race 6 – Maiden special weight, 3yo fillies at 6 furlongs (Pick Three)

·       Field size: 9

·       ML favorite: #1 Ahavah (J. Ortiz/DeVaux) 3-1 a half sister to G1 winner Vahva

·       #9 Justtakethecannoli is out of the Grade 1 winner Include Me Out

 

Race 7 – Maiden special weight, 3yo’s at 6 furlongs (Pick Four)

·       Field size: 10

·       ML favorite: #5 Kalahari Dreams (Concepcion/Bauer) 3-1

·       #3 Unique Mischief out of Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Unrivaled Belle making her a half sister to the multiple Grade 1 winner Unique Bella

 

Race 9 – Maiden Special Weight, 3yo’s at 1 1/16 miles ($1 Pick Six, no jackpot)

·       Field size: 9

·       ML favorite: #2 Cromwell (J. Ortiz/DeVaux) 3-1 who is a half brother to $2.3 million earner Arabian Knight.

·       #5 Yinzer (Twirling Candy/Rehearsed) was a $1 million FTS Aug ’23 purchase.

 

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Pretty Sassy