Kentucky Derby Prep Races: 2025 Fair Grounds Stakes

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Kentucky Derby Prep Races News

Fair Grounds Stakes 2025: Gigante Aims for Third Straight Victory

With over $1.1 million in career earnings, Gigante aims to continue his dominance in the $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 1 1/8-mile turf event, featuring a competitive field of ten older males, is one of several high-profile races on the stakes-filled card.

The event is part of Louisiana Derby Preview Day, which features the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) and the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2), both key Kentucky Derby Prep Races. 

These races will award qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale, influencing the Kentucky Derby odds as the road to Churchill Downs intensifies. Bettors eyeing Kentucky Derby betting opportunities will also find value in the undercard, which includes top-tier turf races.

Gigante Seeks Three in a Row

Gigante has been a force at Fair Grounds this meet, winning the Buddy Diliberto on turf and Colonel E.R. Bradley on a sloppy main track. The Steve Asmussen trainee will now try to stretch out to nine furlongs, a distance he has yet to conquer. The 5-year-old, recently purchased for $610,000 by Clark Brewster and L and N Racing, will again have Jose Ortiz in the saddle.

Contenders Looking to Upset the Favorite

What Say Thee makes his season debut after scratching out of the Bradley. The 7-year-old, now trained by Mike Maker, won five races last season, including the Texas Turf Classic. Luis Saez, who guided him to four of those victories, will be aboard.

Lightly raced 5-year-olds Taking Candy and Unit Economics present intriguing options. Taking Candy, owned by Lael Stables, is fresh for trainer Cherie DeVaux, while Klaravich Stables’ Unit Economics enters a layoff for Chad Brown.

Albert M. Stall Memorial Features Stacked Field

The stakes action includes the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares. An entire field of 14 is set, led by Argentine Group 1 winner Nanda Dea, who impressed in her U.S. debut with a Keeneland allowance win for trainer Ignacio Correas.

Mike Maker’s Stir Crazy looks to extend her dominance after victories in the Blushing K.D. and the off-the-turf Marie G. Krantz. The 7-year-old has finished in the exacta in eight of her last ten starts. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides from post 14.

Colonel Power Stakes Kicks Off Turf Sprinting Action

The $100,000 Colonel Power Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf highlights top sprinters. No Nay Hudson, a stakes-winning Irish-bred gelding trained by Wesley Ward, leads the field. Additionally, He captured the William Walker Stakes last season and will be ridden by Flavien Prat.

Mansa Musa, campaigned by Gary Barber and Team Valor International, steps into the mix after running second in the Quick Call (G3) and third in the Franklin-Simpson (G1) last season. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call for trainer Bill Mott.

With a packed day of action at Fair Grounds, bettors must capitalize on the stakes races, including the upcoming key prep events. Be sure to check out our racebook for the latest odds and insights.