The $175,000 Thanksgiving Classic will take place on Thursday at Fairgrounds Racetrack & Slots, featuring nine veteran male sprinters, including three millionaires. Leading the pack is Bear River, owned by Charles Marquis, who has earned a remarkable $6,598,333 over his career, making his connections particularly grateful as they enter their 101st consecutive race.
The race is set for 6 furlongs on dirt and is race 9 on the card. The Thanksgiving event kicked off at noon CT with 102 horses entered across 10 races. Additionally, a new wager called the 20-cent Crescent City 6 begins in race 5, currently boasting a carryover of $6,192.
Bear River, with earnings of $1,698,823, recently won the Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs in September, securing a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Despite a disappointing finish at five furlongs, his trainer Keith Desormeaux has always had reservations about the shorter distance. Although Bear River starts at 10-1 odds due to his success mostly on turf or off tracks, his odds align closely with other millionaires Baby Yoda and Surveillance from the Flying P stable.
Baby Yoda, the 2024 True North (G2) winner at Saratoga with earnings over $1 million, was recently transferred from Bill Mott to Robert Falcone Jr. after being purchased for $100,000. Although his first race post-transfer ended last in the Vosburgh (G3), Baby Yoda will make his debut at the Fairgrounds on Thursday. Meanwhile, Surveillance has a strong local record with six wins in seven starts at the main track, nearly captured the John A. Nerud (G2), and has won twice since being claimed for $75,000 by Mike Maker in August. Both Baby Yoda and Surveillance enter with 5-1 morning odds.
The morning favorite is Japanese-bred Memories of Komorebi, who finished second in last year’s Thanksgiving Classic and enters fresh after a three-month break under trainer Robertino Diodoro. He holds three wins and one loss leading into the race.
The full field for the Thanksgiving Classic, starting from the rail out with jockeys, trainers, and morning line odds, includes:
1. Donegal Clan (Carlos Perez, Dane Noel, 12-1)
2. Good Look Injustice (Fernando de la Cruz, Aaron West, 12-1)
3. Warderssohn (Marcelino Pedrosa Jr., Chris Hartman, 8-1)
4. Bear River (James Graham, Desormeaux, 10-1)
5. Memories of Komorebi (Paco López, Diodoro, 3-1)
6. Baby Yoda (Leil Gutierrez, Falcone, 5-1)
7. Surveillance (Ben Curtis, Maker, 5-1)
8. Mondo Gets Buckets (Axel Concepcion, Chris Bullock, 6-1)
9. Wine Steward (Jareth Loveberry, Maker, 7-2)
Fans can secure their tickets at fairgroundsracecourse.com.
Fan Take: This thrilling lineup of elite sprinters in the Thanksgiving Classic showcases the depth of talent in the sport and highlights the resurgence of competitive racing at the Fairgrounds. Fans can expect an exciting showdown that not only honors tradition but also elevates the profile of sprint racing, making it a must-watch event for the horse racing community.
