Fair Grounds has announced its 2025-26 stakes schedule featuring the $1-million GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby on Mar. 21, according to a track release Wednesday. The 154th racing season will offer 56 stakes worth $8.65 million, with the Road to the Derby series maintaining its $1.875 million value from last season.
Louisiana Derby Day will showcase eight stakes totaling $2.65 million. The centerpiece 113th Louisiana Derby, run at 1 3/16 miles, awards 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points on the Road to the GI Kentucky Derby.
The card also includes the $400,000 GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks at 1 1/16 miles, offering the same point structure toward the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks.
Louisiana Derby Preview Day is scheduled for Feb. 14, featuring the $500,000 GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star and the $300,000 GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra. Both races offer 50-25-15-10-5 points on their respective Derby and Oaks trails.
Last year’s Rachel Alexandra winner, Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro), went on to capture Kentucky Oaks 151.
Road to the Derby Day on Jan. 17 will include six stakes, headlined by the $250,000 GIII Lecomte Stakes and the $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Silverbulletday Stakes — each offering 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points toward the Derby and Oaks, respectively.
The Road to the Derby Kickoff Day on Dec. 20 features three stakes, including the $100,000 Gun Runner and the $100,000 Untapable. Both award 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points on the respective Derby and Oaks paths.
The 70-day meet opens Thursday, Nov. 20, with the potential for two additional dates in March pending Louisiana HBPA recommendation and Louisiana Racing Commission approval.
Purses for maiden special weights have been set at $54,000, with allowance races ranging from $55,000 to $58,000.
Six Louisiana-bred stakes will be contested across the first three race days as preps for Louisiana Champions Day on Saturday, Dec. 14.
The dirt route series for older horses begins with the $100,000 Tenacious on Dec. 20, followed by the $175,000 GIII Louisiana on Jan. 17, and the $250,000 GIII Mineshaft on Feb. 14 — all presented by Hagyard. The series culminates with the $500,000 GII New Orleans Classic on Mar. 21.
The open-company turf route series concludes with the $300,000 GII Muniz Memorial at 1 1/8 miles on Mar. 21. The series begins with the $100,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 17 and continues with the $175,000 GIII Fair Grounds Stakes on Feb. 14. Horse Racing Nation will present all three races.
Racing Secretary Scott Jones is expected to publish the first condition book in early September. Stall applications for the 2025-26 meet are due Oct. 6, and the backside opens Sept. 15.
Regular post time during the meet will be 12:45 p.m. Central, with noon post times scheduled for Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 17), Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 14), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 21).
The full 2025-26 stakes schedule will be available soon at www.fgno.com.
