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Fair Grounds Race Course presents an eight-race card on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with the first post time at 12:45 PM CST. The meet's midpoint finds trainer Joe Sharp leading with 25 wins, while jockeys Jose Ortiz and Paco Lopez are locked in a battle for the rider title with 37 wins each. The Louisiana-bred program dominates lower-level claiming races, with Races 1, 4, and 8 restricted to state-breds. The day features a competitive turf mile allowance in Race 7 drawing 12 starters and a highly anticipated three-year-old turf sprint in Race 5 where consensus favorite Ketchum makes his second start for leading trainer Joe Sharp.
WEATHER AND TRACK CONDITIONS
Clear skies with temperatures reaching 45°F high and 31°F low. No precipitation expected. Wind from south at approximately 8 mph. Main track listed as fast. Turf course maintains 16-foot rail setting with firm footing. Ideal racing conditions expected throughout the card.
TRACK BIAS AND POST POSITION ANALYSIS
Dirt Sprints: Inside posts 1-3 account for 53% of winners. Wire-to-wire winners capture 46%. Early speed from posts 1-3 wins at 27%. Stalkers win 32-34%, closers 22-28%.
Dirt Routes: Posts 1-3 represent 54% of winners. Speed wins 38%, stalkers 34%, closers 28%.
Turf Sprints: Posts 1-3 account for 44% of winners with relatively even distribution by running style.
Turf Routes: Closers win 40%, stalkers 38%, speed just 22%. Outside posts showed strength recently.
RACE-BY-RACE ANALYSIS
RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 | 6 Furlongs Dirt | 12:45 PM
Key Contenders: Louisiana Wildlife (rail post, tactical speed), Custom Cadillac (class drop threat), Righteous Freedom (tactical stalker)
Secondary Choices: Sir Mack (consistent performer, 12% wins), Gypsy Squall (improved recent form)
Longshots: Grand Encore (10-1, requires pace setup)
RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING | 1 Mile 70Y Dirt | 1:15 PM
Key Contenders: You're in Heaven (Dallas Stewart, class superior), Bartender (Brad Cox, 30% at FG), Sticker Shocked (Kenneth McPeek, Jose Ortiz)
Secondary Choices: Clearly Authentic (early speed, local trainer), Hurricane Kate (cross-entry switch)
RACE 3: CLAIMING $15,000 | 5 Furlongs Turf | 1:45 PM
Key Contenders: Star's Image (tactical speed, Paco Lopez), Clarestown (top weight, class horse), Premium (closer, value 12-1)
Secondary Choices: Dinos Dixie (stalker, Simonovich), Spoke (tactical speed, Pedroza)
Longshots: Saturday's Gold (vulnerable, 113 lbs apprentice)
RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000 | 1 Mile 70Y Dirt | 2:15 PM
Key Contenders: Strawberry Sundae (class credentials, Shane Wilson), Fret No More (front-runner, four-year-old advantage), Mo Smoking (tactical stalker, Murrill)
Secondary Choices: Agami (class relief, $363K earnings), Averi Ever After (late runner, Duke)
RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING | 5.5 Furlongs Turf | 2:45 PM
Key Contenders: Ketchum (Chris Block 53% wins, stalker style), Sockdolager (Joe Sharp, superior class), Rude Procedure (Norm Casse debut winner, Ortiz)
Secondary Choices: Archimedes (Castillo 20% wins, value 7-2), Dr. My Eyes (late runner, weight relief)
Longshots: Election Night (8-1, tactical speed, Paco Lopez)
RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000 | 6 Furlongs Dirt | 3:15 PM
Key Contenders: Sully (Peter Eurton 29% wins, $209K earnings, Jose Ortiz), Somekinda Mischief (class relief, recent form), Prince Ben (tactical speed, Castillo)
Secondary Choices: Whatever (Chris Block 53% wins, weight advantage), El Maximo (tactical option)
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING | 1 Mile Turf | 3:45 PM
Key Contenders: Pegaso (Patti Turner 33% wins, closer style), Fran's Star (Shane Wilson, Stakes winner, stalker), Ballinonabudjet (Turner stablemate)
Secondary Choices: Big Chopper (value 6-1, closer), Dapper Moon (class relief $949K earnings), Calicoco (Wilson 1-2 punch, Castillo)
Longshots: Slick and Fast (10-1, tactical speed, Pedroza)
RACE 8: CLAIMING $5,000 | 6 Furlongs Dirt | 4:15 PM
Key Contenders: Twofexusnexus (Joe Sharp leading trainer, Jose Ortiz, stalker), Sono (Bourgeois closer, Loveberry), Sonofaship (early speed, Rylee Magnon operation)
Secondary Choices: Hooray Austin (age 10 veteran, value 8-1, Paco Lopez), Apriority Rocket (weight relief, equipment change)
Longshots: Drewmazing (10-1 closer, Schwandt)
JOCKEY STANDOUTS
Jose Ortiz: 36 wins, 22% win rate, $1.66M earnings. Excels on turf routes and allowance company.
Paco Lopez: 37 wins, 17% win rate. Aggressive early-speed tactics suit dirt sprints.
Jareth Loveberry: 14% win rate, 41% in-the-money. Value plays on turf sprinters and stalkers.
Isaac Castillo: 20% win rate at Fair Grounds, 48% in-the-money percentage.
TRAINER STANDOUTS
Joe Sharp: 25 wins from 107 starts (2026), 26% wins in 2024-25. Patient placement strategy.
Brad Cox: 30% win rate when shipping to Fair Grounds. Exceptional three-year-old filly developer.
Peter Eurton: 29% win rate, 52% in-the-money. Strong maiden and claiming placement.
Patti Turner: 33% win rate, 67% in-the-money. Excellent turf horse conditioner.
Norm Casse: 24% win rate at Fair Grounds. Talented juvenile/three-year-old specialist.
