[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Smart move by Fair Grounds to return the Derby to nine furlongs, boost the purse, and move it five weeks out from the big day. I'm also pleased that the Risen Star purse was returned to $300,000 and moved to late February. Hopefully this will mean some of the good Derby prospects will race at FG instead of merely using the track for training (for past examples, see Curlin, Victory Gallop, Touch Gold).

Moving the Fair Grounds to late March is going to basically eliminate the Ashland as an Oaks prep. Not sure how it is going to affect the Fantasy, as with the exception of Rachel Alexandra, many of the FG Oaks winners have not run in the Fantasy on their way to the Oaks.

According to Bob Fortus with the Times Picayune, the FG Oaks is going to be run on the Friday before the La Derby, along with three other stakes for the ladies.

I would think there's also an excellent chance you see some twilight/night cards come back at FG considering CDI is all about night racing after the experiment at CD.

NT