Fair Grounds opens 151st race meeting with facility upgrades, new faces and more Derby hopefuls

Fair Grounds opens 151st race meeting with facility upgrades and new faces. The 80-day race meet will be the richest in Louisiana history, featuring 65 stakes worth $8.5 million. Twelve new Louisiana-bred stakes have been added to the schedule. Brad Cox and Steve Asmussen will again bring their powerhouse stables to Fair Grounds. The opening day card will begin at 3:05 p.m. on Friday. Jockeys Florent Geroux and Corey Lanerie will return after spending the past two winters at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Trainer Ken McPeek and conditioner John Ortiz will have their largest strings ever at the track.