152nd season of horse racing opens at New Orleans Fair Grounds this week

Welcome back everyone. The fairground season recently wrapped up and several of the best three old horses will soon be seen in the upcoming Triple Crown events. But right now, I want to tell you about *** jockey. You may be seeing big things from in the near future. Sophia Barde is the focus of this week’s Walker Automotive Spotlight segment. The moment you get in the, in the starting gate and the doors open, it’s just you and the horse, that’s it. And when I’m on *** horse, that’s where I feel connected to my loved ones that are gone. And to God, it’s *** moment just the horse and me and it’s just like *** daily meditation. Like you just get disconnect from everything and there’s no past or future. It’s just that present moment and I get that every day. And Sophia Bela doesn’t take that sense of bliss for granted while she’s always felt an inclination toward horses, her path led her to caring for them, not riding them. I just knew I always wanted to be around animals, especially around horses. I started studying animal medicine and this dream of being *** jockey was always like just in the closet. That is until her veterinary practices in Mexico took her to the race track where she was distracted by the horses and knew she wanted to learn the sport and give galloping *** chance. First, I didn’t put that on the side. I started race riding in Mexico *** little bit and thought I could do both. And at some point I couldn’t focus on both. So I decided I’m going to give this *** try because I’m *** vet already. So I needed to become *** jockey. But her career change in her mid-30 s didn’t come without challenges, especially in *** sport that takes years to master. Most apprentice jockeys are between the age of 16 and 25. Barona is 37. But those in the racing community like Joe Christi fact, don’t look at her age as *** hindrance, but rather an advantage when you’re younger and trying to get involved in the game of horse racing. You’re still learning about life. She’s already lived and she’s been all over the country here and she’s been all over the world before she even got here. So she’s got so much experience. She’s an old soul. She’s hard for us at my age to manage all these pressure. Sometimes I can’t imagine with 16, I don’t think I would be able to. So my advantage, I’m maybe more mature to handle good and bad. Baran also faced *** gender barrier as she emerged onto the racing scene. Only 27% of jockeys are women. And in Mexico, she was one of only three female riders. Well, you know, for *** long time, I thought I had to prove everybody and the man that I can do it and women can. But then I realized I first I wanted to prove it to myself that I could do it overcome that obstacle. But being *** woman in *** male dominated field still affected how Baran Dela approached the craft. You start trying to get an, an attitude of trying to be more manly made or more aggressive. But then I said, no, my strength is being *** woman. I connect with my horses in *** different way. I think I’m in rhythm with them. And maybe if *** horse needs *** very aggressive rider, maybe it’s not me. Horses run for Sofia. And that’s *** gift that you can’t teach. It’s kind of like an inherited trait. She just gets along with the horses they run for her. She’s went on *** lot of long shots this week. Baron now blazes *** path for other female riders which is now up to eight. And now when we have their jockeys, you don’t see. Oh, there is *** women jockey. No, it’s like there’s Sofia, there’s, there’s *** jockey. So I’m *** female writer. No, I’m *** jockey and that’s it. Sofia never thought she would make it this far and takes every win which she has 13 of as *** gift. Sometimes I look back and say, hm, what would happen if I followed all my career now, I would be like *** great vet, but I don’t regret anything. I feel like I live many lives in one and because we just have one life, I’m lucky enough to have felt like the family life and then the vet life and now I’m like *** gypsy jockey life. One of Sophia’s ultimate goals is to race in the famed Kentucky derby. And speaking of the run for the Roses, it airs right here on W S U Saturday, May six.

Living HistoryThe heritage of horse racing runs deep in Louisiana, and it is so much more than just the race. The people who devote their lives to horses, from trainers to jockeys to grooms to handicappers to owners and media–they have many stories to share which bring the magic of Louisianans and our sport to life. Case in point, Larry Jolivette, aka Deadeye. Caught on camera dancing in the aisle of the Saints game, Deadeye’s celebration went viral the week of Nov. 6, 2023. With over four decades of his life dedicated to horses in Louisiana, he is one of many old-school horsemen on Fair Grounds’ backside who carry forward the traditions and stories of bygone years. “It’s a New Orleans Thing”Allen Toussaint sang it best, and we are proud to embody the spirit of his song: there are many things in life that you can only experience in New Orleans. Thanksgiving Day at Fair Grounds is one of them. This year we will be running the 99th annual $200,000 Thanksgiving Classic. No other city could do it like we do it: the track is packed and the locals put on a show that rivals the racehorses, mixing Mardi Gras flair and Derby debonair.Fair Grounds races on Mardi Gras! This year will be the 80th running of the Mardi Gras Stakes. The street parades roll by and horsemen, as well as fans, dress to impress.After the last race on closing day (March 24, 2024), Fair Grounds will be hosting our annual Breast Cancer Second Line, honoring fighters and survivors as the race to end cancer continues. In traditional second-line fashion, participants are led by a brass band parading across the infield. Proceeds benefit the Shantel Lanerie Breast Cancer Foundation, which is named in memory of someone near and dear to our hearts, as Shantel was the wife of jockey Corey Lanerie, a Louisiana-native.Gender Equality in SportsWhile so many sports are working to find an equal playing field for men and women, horse racing sees the best human and equine athletes compete against each other everyday, regardless of gender. Jockeys Aubrey Green, Erica Murray, and Sofia Barandela all return after successful 2022-2023 meets, and these three women riders will be joined by apprentice jockey Kylie Wellington.The Kentucky Derby Goes Through Fair GroundsFair Grounds has become the sport’s destination for 3-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail. Since 2019, three of the last five Derby winners all traveled through Fair Grounds’ prep races: the $100,000 Gun Runner (Dec 23), the Grade 3 $200,000 Lecomte (Jan 20), the Grade 2 $400,000 Risen Star (Feb 17), and the Grade 2 $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby (March 23). In the 2023 Kentucky Derby, Fair Grounds’ preps produced three of the top four finishers.Training takes place from 5:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. CT each morning, and not only are potential Derby horses out there, but also many of the heavyweights of our horse racing. Being there for the sunrise as the horses get their daily exercise is a magical experience that brings you closer to the sport and the many people who dedicate their lives to the Thoroughbred. Louisiana-BredAlong with showcasing the national talents, Fair Grounds devotes much of its backside and race cards to the top Louisiana-bred racehorses. The La-bred program is strong, and one of the best local racehorses is named Touchuponastar. Bred by New Orleans’ very own Evelyn Benoit, owned by Super Bowl quarterback Jake Delhomme, trained by Jake’s brother and father Jeff and Jerry Delhomme–Touchuponastar will be racing on Louisiana Champions Day (Dec. 9), assuming all goes well.It’s Like Willie Green, Kim Mulkey, Gregg Popovich and Pat Summit Coaching Against Each Other… EverydayIn horse racing, trainers are the equivalent to coaches, and Fair Grounds is lucky to have some of the top trainers in the nation, including Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, Cherie DeVaux, Tom Amoss, Brendan Walsh, Michelle Lovell, Bret Calhoun, Michael Stidham, and Ken McPeek.A big storyline this year will be the arrival of Larry Rivelli. Trainer of Two Phil’s, who ran second in Kentucky Derby 149, and the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Nobals, Rivelli won nine trainer’s titles at Arlington Park. This will be his first year stabled at Fair Grounds. He is charismatic and open to interviews.Three major players from the New York circuit will be coming to Fair Grounds for the first time, including Ray Handal, Rob Atras, and Robert Falcone Jr. Each is a young, fresh face who is having success on our sport’s biggest stages.“Everybody Always Asks About the Jockey”The most intriguing new addition to the colony is Ben Curtis. With over 1,000 wins to his name, Curtis has been one of the top riders in England for the past decade and was crowned the All-Weather Champion jockey in 2021. Curtis will be represented by agent Ron Faucheux, who after winning three trainer’s titles in a row stepped into a new role after the 2022 – 2023 meet. Curtis will certainly be contending for leading rider.Last year’s top jockey, Rey Gutierrez, will return to defend his title. An articulate and charming 27-year-old, Gutierrez is a strong interviewer and a perfect voice for translating the ins-and-outs of the sport to the uninitiated and diehard fans, alike.Gutierrez is joined in the jock’s room by the likes of: Florent Geroux (native of France who rides in the richest races across the country), Brian Hernandez, Jr. (grew up on the backside and has had phenomenal success in Kentucky and on our sport’s richest races), James Graham (native of Ireland who is the fourth-most winningest jockey in Fair Grounds history), Corey Lanerie (born in Lafayette and recently won his 5,000th career race, only the 38th jockey in the history of the sport to accomplish this), and Deshawn Parker (with over 6,100 wins, Parker is the all-time winningest African-American jockey and the ranks 20th overall in the history of the sport). The GroundsHurricane Ida caused serious damage to the property in 2021. Last year, Fair Grounds replaced the historic infield toteboard with a state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar stunner. This year Fair Grounds has built two new barns to replace those wrecked in the storm. The Stall-Wilson turf course is full grown and looking beautiful, ready for everyday use as well as the many stakes scheduled to be run across it.

NEW ORLEANS —

Living History

The heritage of horse racing runs deep in Louisiana, and it is so much more than just the race. The people who devote their lives to horses, from trainers to jockeys to grooms to handicappers to owners and media–they have many stories to share which bring the magic of Louisianans and our sport to life.

Case in point, Larry Jolivette, aka Deadeye. Caught on camera dancing in the aisle of the Saints game, Deadeye’s celebration went viral the week of Nov. 6, 2023. With over four decades of his life dedicated to horses in Louisiana, he is one of many old-school horsemen on Fair Grounds’ backside who carry forward the traditions and stories of bygone years.

“It’s a New Orleans Thing”

Allen Toussaint sang it best, and we are proud to embody the spirit of his song: there are many things in life that you can only experience in New Orleans. Thanksgiving Day at Fair Grounds is one of them. This year we will be running the 99th annual $200,000 Thanksgiving Classic. No other city could do it like we do it: the track is packed and the locals put on a show that rivals the racehorses, mixing Mardi Gras flair and Derby debonair.

Fair Grounds races on Mardi Gras! This year will be the 80th running of the Mardi Gras Stakes. The street parades roll by and horsemen, as well as fans, dress to impress.

After the last race on closing day (March 24, 2024), Fair Grounds will be hosting our annual Breast Cancer Second Line, honoring fighters and survivors as the race to end cancer continues. In traditional second-line fashion, participants are led by a brass band parading across the infield. Proceeds benefit the Shantel Lanerie Breast Cancer Foundation, which is named in memory of someone near and dear to our hearts, as Shantel was the wife of jockey Corey Lanerie, a Louisiana-native.

Gender Equality in Sports

While so many sports are working to find an equal playing field for men and women, horse racing sees the best human and equine athletes compete against each other everyday, regardless of gender. Jockeys Aubrey Green, Erica Murray, and Sofia Barandela all return after successful 2022-2023 meets, and these three women riders will be joined by apprentice jockey Kylie Wellington.

The Kentucky Derby Goes Through Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds has become the sport’s destination for 3-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail. Since 2019, three of the last five Derby winners all traveled through Fair Grounds’ prep races: the $100,000 Gun Runner (Dec 23), the Grade 3 $200,000 Lecomte (Jan 20), the Grade 2 $400,000 Risen Star (Feb 17), and the Grade 2 $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby (March 23). In the 2023 Kentucky Derby, Fair Grounds’ preps produced three of the top four finishers.

Training takes place from 5:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. CT each morning, and not only are potential Derby horses out there, but also many of the heavyweights of our horse racing. Being there for the sunrise as the horses get their daily exercise is a magical experience that brings you closer to the sport and the many people who dedicate their lives to the Thoroughbred.

Louisiana-Bred

Along with showcasing the national talents, Fair Grounds devotes much of its backside and race cards to the top Louisiana-bred racehorses. The La-bred program is strong, and one of the best local racehorses is named Touchuponastar. Bred by New Orleans’ very own Evelyn Benoit, owned by Super Bowl quarterback Jake Delhomme, trained by Jake’s brother and father Jeff and Jerry Delhomme–Touchuponastar will be racing on Louisiana Champions Day (Dec. 9), assuming all goes well.

It’s Like Willie Green, Kim Mulkey, Gregg Popovich and Pat Summit Coaching Against Each Other… Everyday

In horse racing, trainers are the equivalent to coaches, and Fair Grounds is lucky to have some of the top trainers in the nation, including Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, Cherie DeVaux, Tom Amoss, Brendan Walsh, Michelle Lovell, Bret Calhoun, Michael Stidham, and Ken McPeek.

A big storyline this year will be the arrival of Larry Rivelli. Trainer of Two Phil’s, who ran second in Kentucky Derby 149, and the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Nobals, Rivelli won nine trainer’s titles at Arlington Park. This will be his first year stabled at Fair Grounds. He is charismatic and open to interviews.

Three major players from the New York circuit will be coming to Fair Grounds for the first time, including Ray Handal, Rob Atras, and Robert Falcone Jr. Each is a young, fresh face who is having success on our sport’s biggest stages.

“Everybody Always Asks About the Jockey”

The most intriguing new addition to the colony is Ben Curtis. With over 1,000 wins to his name, Curtis has been one of the top riders in England for the past decade and was crowned the All-Weather Champion jockey in 2021. Curtis will be represented by agent Ron Faucheux, who after winning three trainer’s titles in a row stepped into a new role after the 2022 – 2023 meet. Curtis will certainly be contending for leading rider.

Last year’s top jockey, Rey Gutierrez, will return to defend his title. An articulate and charming 27-year-old, Gutierrez is a strong interviewer and a perfect voice for translating the ins-and-outs of the sport to the uninitiated and diehard fans, alike.

Gutierrez is joined in the jock’s room by the likes of:

Florent Geroux (native of France who rides in the richest races across the country),
Brian Hernandez, Jr. (grew up on the backside and has had phenomenal success in Kentucky and on our sport’s richest races),
James Graham (native of Ireland who is the fourth-most winningest jockey in Fair Grounds history),
Corey Lanerie (born in Lafayette and recently won his 5,000th career race, only the 38th jockey in the history of the sport to accomplish this), and
Deshawn Parker (with over 6,100 wins, Parker is the all-time winningest African-American jockey and the ranks 20th overall in the history of the sport).

The Grounds

Hurricane Ida caused serious damage to the property in 2021. Last year, Fair Grounds replaced the historic infield toteboard with a state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar stunner. This year Fair Grounds has built two new barns to replace those wrecked in the storm.

The Stall-Wilson turf course is full grown and looking beautiful, ready for everyday use as well as the many stakes scheduled to be run across it.

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