Fair Grounds Louisiana Derby Day Picks -3/21/26                

Fair Grounds Race 8 Costa Rising Stakes

5 Monsieur Candy tracked a very fast pace last out, made an early move on the pacesetter and was rundown in the stretch drive at this distance on the turf. This Gelding appears to be the true speed in here and if Jockey Jareth Loveberry can get an uncontested lead early, I believe he can take this group gate to wire. Win Contender

1 Nine Part is just neck away from being unbeaten in 6 career starts. In start 6, this Joe Felks trainee tried the turf for the first time here at the Fair Grounds and rewarded his connections with an impressive 2-length victory. He’s the deserving morning line favorite. Win Contender 

3 Hay Jude has lost 2 heartbreakers in a row on the dirt here at FG, finishing second by a head in both starts versus Allowance/Optional 35k foes. Gelding tries the blades for the first time and her pedigree especially on the Dam side screams turf. Don’t Ignore

Selections 5-1-3-12

Fair Grounds Race 9 New Orleans Classic Stakes

5 Not this Boy has been facing some salty runners in open company and has run well, winning 2 of his last 4 races, including a gate-to-wire victory here at the Fair Grounds last out. He doesn’t necessarily need the lead and can track the pacesetter today. I like his chances to pull the upset. Win Contender 

2 Touchuponastar has been an absolute beast when facing Louisiana Breds, most of his 20 lifetime wins have been versus Statebreds. He faces open company today and for some reason he doesn’t have his regular Jockey aboard which concerns me. He’s stillborn the likely winner but I’ll try to beat him today. Win Contender 

4 Life and Times won his first 2 races by a combined 12 lengths, then ran into a buzz saw, a horse named Knightsbridge. Gelding was no match for the best miler in the country and finished a distant third. He fits well here. Major Threat

Selections 5-2-4-1

Fair Grounds Race 10 Muniz Memorial Stakes

7 Program Trading has been competing against much tougher animals in Grade 1 competition, drops 5 lbs off his last race and gets one of the best turf riders in country, Flavien Prat in the irons. Looks like a recipe for a W today. Top Pick

4 Lagynos rarely runs a bad race and is coming in here off an impressive victory in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes. Win Contender 

2 Montador had an excuse in his last start when finishing second to the aforementioned. He’s a player here with a clean trip. Major Threat

Selections 7-4-2-5

Fair Grounds Race 11 Fair Grounds Oaks Grade 2

2 Newton Pike is a lightly raced daughter of McKinzie, whose siblings tend to move forward at a rapid rate. This gal has improved her dirt speed figures in each consecutive start. If she moves forward once again , she’ll have a good shot to run down the pacesetters today. LIVE LONGSHOT 

5 Bella Ballerina is undefeated in 3 lifetime starts which includes a game victory in the G2 Rachael Alexander here at FG. Win Contender 

4 Luv Your Neighbor has a bit of seconditis, finishing second in 4 straight starts. Luis Seaz rides back off a game second place finish to Bella last out. Don’t Ignore

Selections 2-5-4-6

Fair Grounds Race 12 Louisiana Derby Grade 2

3 Chip Honcho is the controlling speed in here and if no one goes with this Steve Asmussen trainee early, it will be lights out for the rest of the field. This Colt showed true grit last out when he set some quick early fractions and was collard by Derby favorite Paladin in the G2 Risen Star. He fought back gamely to the wire losing by just a half length in the final strides. With no Paladin entered today, I like his chances here. Top Pick

9 Emerging Market only has 1 race on his resume as he steps up big in class today. In that one start, this son of Candy Ride came home with a late pace figure of 106 and broke his maiden by just under a length. If the pace is extremely hot early, I love this ones chances late. Win Contender

7 Blacksmith must be considered as trainer Bob Baffert ships this Colt in from the West Coast. Colt had tactical speed and should be in good position early, I,m just not sure he’ll like this distance. Use Underneath 

Selections 3-9-7-5

STOGIE PLAYS FOR TODAY 

Fair Grounds Race 11

$5 WPS #2 Newtown Pike(8-1)

$1 Exacta Box 2,4,5

$1 Trifecta Box 2,4,5=$27

Fair Grounds Race 12

$10 WPS #3 Chip Honcho (3-1)

$1 Exacta Box 3,7,9= $36

.50cent Pick 5 Races 8-12

R8 1,3,5

R9 2,4,5

R10 4,7

R11 2,5

R12 3,7,9 =$54

TODAY’S BANKROLL =$117