Tomorrow’s “Road to the Derby Kickoff” event at Fairgrounds Racetrack and Slots features major races including Gun Runner and Untappable, which award 10-5-3-2-1 points toward the Kentucky Derby and Oaks 152 respectively. The card also includes two significant stakes races for older horses—the Tenacious on dirt and the Buddy Diliberto Memorial on turf—boosting the strength of this 12-race program. For the first time, there will be eight maiden special weight races, many directly leading into the “Road to the Derby” dayheadlined by the Lecomte (G3) and Silver Bullet Day on Saturday, January 17.
Top jockey Luis Saez joins the current meet leader Paco Lopez, last season’s champion Jose Ortiz, and Kentucky Derby and Oaks winner Brian Hernandez Jr., all with key mounts in the lineup. Prominent trainers such as Brad Cox, Steve Asmussen, Brendan Walsh, Ken McPeek, and Shelley Devaux are well represented, showcasing promising talent in their stables. Over 20 two-year-olds in the field have recently sold for more than $250,000, highlighting the high quality of the competition.
DeVoe, a stable representative, praises the Fairgrounds for hosting races that align well with major upcoming events, offering fans and bettors a chance to track top contenders closely. Besides Gun Runner’s promising Mesquite, DeVoe has about a dozen horses entered for Saturday’s races, confident these preparations will help them succeed in forthcoming Oaks and Derby prep events.
The card features an average field size of 10 horses, with only one favorite at odds of 5-2 or lower, indicating competitive races ahead. Weather looks ideal for racing with sunny skies and highs near 72 degrees. Post time starts at 12:45 PM Central, 1:45 PM Eastern, promising a day full of exciting horses and betting opportunities.
Highlighted bets include a 50-cent Pick Five starting with races 1, 5, and 8, a 50-cent Pick Four beginning with races 2, 6, and 9, and a 20-cent Crescent City 6 Race modeled after Churchill Downs’ popular Derby City 6, which currently holds a carryover exceeding $4,500.
This opening “Road to the Derby Kickoff” card includes maiden special weights, stakes races, and key contests like the Buddy Diliberto Memorial, Untappable, and Gun Runner, with many favorite jockeys and trainers aiming for Kentucky Derby and Oaks glory.
Fan Take: This event marks a critical early step in identifying the next crop of Derby and Oaks contenders, offering horse racing enthusiasts a glimpse of future stars and exciting competition. The high-quality fields and expert trainers involved promise that the sport’s future remains vibrant and full of thrilling moments.
