Fair Grounds
2026-27 Season — Dates Coming Soon
Fair Grounds — Between Meets
Live selections and results tracking resume the day the gates open.
2026-27 Season
Official Dates To Be Announced
Fair Grounds typically announces its new season in September or October, with racing
historically opening around Thanksgiving week. Below is the marquee stakes lineup that
returned last season — check back here once the 2026-27 schedule is confirmed.
historically opening around Thanksgiving week. Below is the marquee stakes lineup that
returned last season — check back here once the 2026-27 schedule is confirmed.
Last Meet Opened
Nov 20, 2025
Last Meet Closed
Mar 22, 2026
Racing Days
70+
Louisiana Derby Purse
$1,000,000
Marquee Races to Watch
Dates below are from the 2025-26 season — a reliable preview of the meet's rhythm each year
Nov 272025 season
Thanksgiving Classic
A 100+ year New Orleans tradition — six-furlong dirt sprint on Thanksgiving Day
$175,000
Dec 132025 season
Louisiana Champions Day
Ten races, including seven stakes, showcasing the state's top Louisiana-bred horses
Multiple stakes
Jan 172025 season
Lecomte Stakes
"Road to the Derby Day" — the first major step toward the Louisiana Derby
G3
Feb 142025 season
Risen Star Stakes
Major Kentucky Derby points prep — headlines Louisiana Derby Preview Day
G2
$500,000
Feb 142025 season
Rachel Alexandra Stakes
Key Kentucky Oaks prep for 3-year-old fillies, same card as the Risen Star
$300,000
Mar 212025 season
Louisiana Derby
The crown jewel of the meet — 1 3/16 miles, 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby points
G2
$1,000,000
Mar 212025 season
Fair Grounds Oaks
Runs the same card as the Louisiana Derby — Kentucky Oaks qualifying points
G2
$400,000
Mar 212025 season
New Orleans Classic
Caps the older-horse dirt route series on Louisiana Derby Day
G2
$500,000
Mar 212025 season
Muniz Memorial Classic
Marquee turf test at 1 1/8 miles, also run on Louisiana Derby Day
G2
$300,000
Dates shown reflect the confirmed 2025-26 season and are a preview only — official 2026-27 dates and purses had not yet been announced by Fair Grounds as of this writing. · Selections tracking begins once live racing resumes.