An exciting weekend of horse races in 2024 is set for Fair Grounds this weekend. There will be four Grade 2s on the card at the track, with the action headlined by the Louisiana Derby, which will be one of the top weekend races for betting on the scores and odds.
The New Orleans Classic Stakes has also attracted talented runners, while the Muniz Memorial Classic should also be competitive. You can find our horse racing predictions for the horse racing events this weekend here. Dive into our detailed BetUs Review for valuable insights before placing your bets!
Louisiana Derby
The Louisiana Derby is one of the top weekend races for betting, with Grade 2 offering Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The field for the race will compete over 1 3/16 miles at Fair Grounds, with the race offering a purse of $1 million.
Track Phantom will be among the notable runners in the race this weekend for trainer Steven Asmussen. This three-year-old failed to see out the trip when finishing second in the G2 Risen Star on his previous appearance, but he remains of huge interest after stakes victories in the Gun Runner and G3 Lecomte.
Agate Road has two potential options this weekend, but he could be an exciting contender in the Louisiana Derby if opting for Fair Grounds. Todd Pletcher has an excellent record in the race, and this three-year-old has run creditably into second in both the G3 Sam F. Davis and Dania Beach this year.
However, we are keen on a big price for our bet on horse racing selection this weekend. Real Men Violin represents the Kenneth McPeek yard and showed excellent quality last year when finishing second in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. He likely needed the run on his return to action in the G2 Risen Star, and an improved effort could be likely on Saturday.
- Pick: Real Men Violin
New Orleans Classic Stakes
The New Orleans Classic is another Grade 2 on the card at Fair Grounds this weekend. This race covers 1 1/8 miles on the dirt, often producing an excellent winner. Wild Again landed success in this race after scoring in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, while Mineshaft won the New Orleans Classic in 2003.
Best Actor represents the Brad Cox yard this weekend, and the runner has won five from ten career starts. He made his return to action with a fine second in the G3 Mineshaft Stakes at the end of last month, and that was a strong comeback effort after being off the track for two months.
However, Money Supply could be the progressive sort that may show more once again this weekend. This runner for Joe Sharp got the better of Best Actor in the G3 Mineshaft on his previous start, and he has now recorded victories in each of his last five races.
- Pick: Money Supply
Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes
The Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes will also be run at Fair Grounds this Saturday, and it looks set to be one of the top weekend races for betting. This race is a Grade 2 affair on the turf, with the field competing over a distance of 1 1/8 miles. A purse of $300,000 awaits the participating runners.
There is no shortage of runners in with a chance this weekend, beginning with Webslinger, who finished a very solid sixth in the G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf on his comeback effort in January. Adhamo has always been regarded very highly by connections, but he could finish no better than tenth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf.
Beatbox looks like a progressive contender for Cherie DeVaux on Saturday after winning the G3 Fair Grounds Stakes on his step up into graded company, and there could be more to come. However, we will be siding with I’m Very Busy for the team of Irad Ortiz and Chad Brown, who finished an excellent second in the G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf on his previous effort.
- Pick: I’m Very Busy
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