Sippin On Gin Slips Up Rail to Win Crescent City Derby
New Orleans, La (March 22, 2025) – Allied Racing Stable’s homebred Sippin On Gin slipped up the rail and held on in a thrilling photo finish to take the $100,000 Crescent City Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
The Brett Calhoun trained son of Mr. Money covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.24, besting a field of 14 Louisiana-bred 3-year-old males.
“The colt and filly division of Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds are outstanding,” Calhoun said. “Big field, great race and our colt has been getting better every day. This is a special homebred for Chester and Jennifer (Thomas).”
Back aboard after guiding Sippin On Gin to win the Louisiana Stallion of the Year Star Guitar Stakes, Axel Concepcion produced a carbon copy trip to get up by a nose over 57-1 He’s Late Again. In contention until the end, Classic Time finished third. Dapper Moon, the 9-5 post-time favorite, ran sixth.
“I’m really happy with how (Sippin on Gin) ran,” Concepcion said. “He’s a nice horse with a lot of heart. He broke sharply and I tried to save ground. I knew I had a lot of horse down the stretch. Thanks to everyone for this opportunity.”
Sent off as the 9-2, Sippin On Gin returned $11.20, $5.60, and $3.60. He’s Late Again paid $38.40 and $17.00. Classic Time returned $4.20.returned $6.80, $4.40, and $3.80. Monsieur Candy paid $8.80 and $7.40. Mark’s Promise returned $8.60.
In just 4 races, Sippin On Gin has earned $166,400 from three wins and a second.
Geaux Sugar Sweetly to the Lead for Costa Rising Title
Single Malt Stables’ Geaux Sugar scored his third stakes title of the meet, wiring the field of 13 older Louisiana-bred males in the $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Trained by Keith Bourgeois, Geaux Sugar proved his natural speed fires just as effectively on the turf, covering the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.19. Monsieur Candy rode the rail to finish 1 3/4 lengths back in second. Mark’s Promise ran third.
“The rest he had did him a lot of good,” Bourgeois said. “It was time for a little freshening. I knew he’d run well on the turf because I won one on the turf with him after the claim.”
Claimed for $10,000 in May of 2024, since then the son of Half Ours has rattled off four wins, including the Andrew Ney Memorial and Louisiana Champions Day Sprint. Mitchell Murrill was aboard for all three stakes wins.
“I gotta thank Mr. Bourgeois and all the guys behind this horse,” Murrill said. “He’s been super special this winter. He’s one-dimensional. You stay out of his way and let him do his thing and he’ll take you along for a ride.”
Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Geaux Sugar returned $6.80, $4.40, and $3.80. Monsieur Candy paid $8.80 and $7.40. Mark’s Promise returned $8.60.
Geaux Sugar has a lifetime bankroll of $371,890 from a career record of 20-10-3-2.
Blue Fire Wire to Wire in the Crescent City Oaks
Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel’s Blue Fire wired a field of seven Louisiana-bred fillies in Saturday’s $100,000 Crescent City Oaks at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Trained by Steve Asmussen and with Jose Ortiz in the irons, Blue Fire covered the 1 mile 70 yards in 1:42.97, holding off the late run of Margie’s Intention by 1 1/4 lengths. Canal Street finished a close third.
“She finished off the race really well,” Ortiz said. “She broke great and relaxed on the lead. She was there for me throughout the race.”
Blue Fire began the season as a maiden and concluded the meet with three stakes titles, along with the Louisiana Broodmare of the Year and Louisiana Champions Day Lassie.
“I’m Extremely proud of her,” Asmussen said. “She’s four-for-four this meet and is just an extremely nice filly who happens to be Louisiana-bred. It’s been a great partnership with Stonestreet Stables and Mr. Leidel. For her to win another stake for us is very special.”
Sent off at even money, Blue Fire rewarded her backers with $4.00, $2.20, and $2.10. Margie’s Intention paid $2.20 and $2.10. Canal Street returned $3.00.
Blue Fire boosted her bankroll to $235,120 with the Crescent City score for a new career record of 6-4-1-0
Sunday, March 23 is Closing Day at Fair Grounds. A trio Louisiana-bred stakes will close out the 12-race card. First post is 12:45 p.m. CT
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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 153rd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 112th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 22, 2024 through March 23, 2025. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.
