Fairgrounds has revealed the list of competitors for six stakes races taking place on February 14 during Louisiana Derby Preview Day, headlined by the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Risen Star (G2) and the $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra (G2). Among the possible new entrants in the local Derby Prep Series are Remsen’s one-two finishers, Paladin and Renegade.
The Risen Star and Rachel Alexandra races serve as key lead-ups to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, awarding points for the first time this season to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale.
An additional five three-year-old stallions have been nominated for the 54th running of the Risen Star, bringing the total to 62 horses, including those from the Early Bird nomination period. This will be the third of four prep races regionally for the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1), contested over 1 1/8 miles.
Among the newly nominated contenders are horses owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Taber, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brooke Smith, and Summer Wind Equine’s Paladin. Trained by Chad Brown, Paladin is undefeated in two starts and earned 10 Derby Prep points by winning the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct in December.
Paladin and Renegade, from the Robert Rowe, Lawana Rowe, and Lepore stable who placed second by two lengths in the Remsen, could look for a rematch in New Orleans. Stallions trained by Todd Pletcher, such as Into Mischief, and early bird candidate Coating, owned by Whisper Hill Farm, Stone Street Stables, and Windancer Farm, are also in consideration. Coating’s connections include the same team behind a Curlin colt that finished fourth in a Derby prep.
The 46th nomination period for the Rachel Alexandra concluded with 22 mares entered. These fillies will compete over 1 1/16 miles on the main track, vying for 105 qualifying points toward the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Leading the field is Godolphin’s Bella Ballerina, who most recently won the November Goldenrod (G2) at Churchill Downs on November 29 with trainer Brendan Walsh. Bella Ballerina is a half-sister to Pretty Mischievous, the 2023 Kentucky Oaks winner.
Trainer Brad Cox tops all trainers with four fillies entered, highlighted by stakes winners Hit Parade and Life of Joy. Kenny McPeak has nominated Taken By The Wind, the Silver Bullet Day winner, along with stablemate Spitfire. Shelley Devaux has three fillies in the race, including Atropa and White Smoke, who placed third and sixth respectively at Silver Bullet Day in January.
Beyond the Risen Star and Rachel Alexandra, the card includes two other significant stakes races. The Grade 3 $250,000 Mineshaft Stakes (1 1/16 miles) drew 18 nominations, notably including Wasnan Racing’s veteran with career earnings of $8,902,183. Other nominees include winners of the first two stakes in the series: Pletcher’s Louisiana Stakes (G3) winner Accelerise and Doug Cowan’s Tenacious Stakes winner Not This Boy.
The $175,000 Fairgrounds Stakes (G3), scheduled for 1 1/8 miles on turf and expected to host 22 contenders, may mark the return of Brilliant Berti from Klein Racing. Trained by DeVoe, a multiple graded stakes winner who recently finished third in Keeneland’s Turf Mile (G1) last October, Brilliant Berti is among several nominees, including Flying P Stable’s Kernel ER Bradley S winner Kupuna and Godolphin’s Wood Chopper S winner Montador.
Additionally, the $100,000 Albert M. Stoll Memorial and $100,000 Colonel Power Stakes are set for the Stoll-Wilson turf course. The Albert M. Stoll Memorial, for older mares at 1 1/16 miles, attracted 20 entries led by CRK Stables’ Marie G. Krantz S. winner Medro. The Colonel Power, running 5 1/2 furlongs, drew 23 older colts but is headlined by Normally Long, an eight-time winner from BG Stable and Selman Shabby, who previously set a course record in the Duncan F. Kenner Stakes.
A full list of nominees for Louisiana Derby Preview Day can be found on Equibase at https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaSNHW.cfm?trk=FG.
The entries for these high-profile stakes will be drawn on Saturday, February 7.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on February 1, 2026, and first appeared in the News section.
Fan Take: This announcement highlights some of the most promising young talent preparing for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, offering fans exciting new rivalries and potential breakout stars. The expanded points system and strong field deepen the competitive landscape, underscoring the sport’s evolving excitement and potential for memorable racing moments.
