Training Title Going Down to the Wire — With a first Fair Grounds crown in his crosshairs, Sharp leads Cox by three with five days to play

 

New Orleans, La (March 19, 2025) – With only five racing days remaining in the 2024-25 meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the race for leading trainer is still very much up for grabs. Entering Wednesday’s action, Joe Sharp holds a three-win lead over four-time Fair Grounds champ Brad Cox (32-29), but both trainers have many live chances throughout the rest of the week.

Sharp finished second in the Fair Grounds trainer standings four times, and on three of those occasions it was Cox who denied him the crown — ’16-17 (43-35), ’17-18 (53-49) & ’18-19 (53-49). In ’15-16, Sharp was the runner-up to Mike Stidham (38-36).

“I’ve got a chance (to win it) so I’m kind of obligated to go for it,” Sharp said. “I’ve got some horses that I need to save for Keeneland. The hard knockers need to do well to get us there.”

Here is a look at their remaining entrants for both Sharp and Cox…

 

Wednesday, March 19

 

Joe Sharp: Race 5- Bosun (9-2 ML), Race 6- Sierra November (3-1 ML) & Race 7- Gilded Ruler (7-2 ML).

Brad Cox: Race 6- Protocol (7-2 ML)

 

Thursday, March 20

 

Sharp: Race 5- Betty’s Dance (3-1 ML), Kissin Riches (7-2 ML) & Race 7- Front and Silver (7-2 ML)

Cox: None

 

Friday, March 21

 

Sharp: Race 4- Global Pride (8-5 ML), Race 6- Eye Dee Kay (7-2 ML) & Race 8- Flirting With Time (6-1 ML).

Cox: Race 5- Tickled Quist (7-2 ML), Race 7- Therdgoesonforever (7-2 ML)

 

Saturday, March 22

 

Sharp: Race 4- St. Armands Key (3-1 ML), Race 7- Acknowledge (8-1 ML), Race 8- Sabalenka (15-1 ML) – likely scratched WON on Tuesday, Strikingly Spun (15-1 ML) & Race 12- Furio (12-1 ML)

Cox: Race 1- Fugitive star (10-1 ML), Race 3- Shewontbudge (4-1 ML), Saucier (9-2 ML),

Race 9- Kinetic (10-1 ML), Bishops Bay (10-1 ML), Race 11- Good Cheer (4-5 ML) & Race 12- John Hancock (7-2 ML) & Instant Replay (6-1)

 

Sunday, March 23 (Morning Lines TBD):

 

Sharp: Race 1- Tribest, Race 3- Steady On, Ember, Race 5- I’m Mo Joke, Scattitude

Cox: Race 8- Stellify

 

-30-