Saturday marks the first Saturday of the meeting at Fair Grounds, which opened on Thursday afternoon in New Orleans. The 9-race card kicks off at 1:45 pm ET / 12:45 pm local time and is headlined by a trio of Louisiana-bred stakes events. Here are a few horses I plan to build my wagering around on Saturday in the “Big Easy.”

Race 3
My first play of the day comes in this $30k maiden claimer over the grass where I landed on class dropper #8 Edgerton. The son of Street Boss has made three starts, including two going long on the sod against maiden special weight competition. Not only does the Godolphin homebred get some significant class relief on Saturday, but he had legitimate excuses in both turf routes thus far. On September 11, in his grass debut, he was beaten out of the gate and up against it from there in a race dominated by those on the front end. Last time out, he was caught wide throughout in a race over the Laurel turf. Trainer Michael Stidham finds a softer spot and legs up jockey Axel Concepcion. Expect a big effort after a pair of maintenance drills over the main track since arriving in New Orleans.

Play: #8 Edgerton (9-2 ML)


Race 7: Andrew Ney Memorial
One of the stories to watch early on in the Fair Grounds 2025-2026 meeting is how veteran jockey Paco Lopez fares in New Orleans. I anticipate Lopez will find plenty of winners over the course of the winter. He should be able to work out a fantastic trip on #8 Not On Herb in this 6-furlong dash for Louisiana-breds over the main track. 2-1-ML favorite #1 Geaux Sugar is the likely pacesetter from his inside draw, but has not quite been the same horse over his last few starts. Hopefully, #3 Smash It off the long break amongst others at least keeps the chalk honest. Either way, I expect Paco to be sitting a few lengths off the early pace on this 8-time winner that comes in fresh for trainer David Terre. Terre appears to have pointed for this spot, so I expect his trainee to be ready to roll on Saturday afternoon.

Play: #8 Not On Herb (9-2 ML)


Race 9: Jacob V Morreale Memorial
The final stakes race of the afternoon is another state-bred affair, but this one at two-turns over the main track where early speed appears to be at a premium. I am hopeful #3 Letmikefigureitout can take advantage. The son of Daaher comes in fresh for trainer Alan Klanfer. Klanfer has only started 62 horses this year, but has won at a 27% clip with a positive ROI and finds his trainee in a wide-open spot in his first ever stakes try. Letmikefigureitout has won from just off the pace before, but also has won on the front end. Look for jockey Devin Magnon to get aggressive from his inside draw, take command early, and hopefully have enough left late to earn his fifth victory in six starts in 2025. He should offer solid value on the class hike in this field of 11 to close opening week at Fair Grounds.

Play: #3 Letmikefigureitout (8-1 ML)

Best of luck in the Big Easy!