The $100.000 Palisano Memorial Stakes takes center stage at Fair Grounds on January 10, 2026, presenting a six-furlong test on the main dirt track exclusively for four-year-old and older colts and geldings foaled in Louisiana. The Palisano Memorial carries weight penalties for recent stakes winners, with all runners assigned 123 pounds unless they’ve captured graded or open stakes since early 2025. Past winners include Louisiana Asset (2025), Indiscretion (2024), and Tugela Eclipse (2023). Among connections with previous success, Brian Curtis captured the 2025 edition aboard Louisiana Asset. The race has attracted a competitive field of five talented Louisiana-Bred older horses, each seeking to add their names to this prestigious list of winners and establish themselves as the top State Bred older male in the Pelican State.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Cambridge represents Spb Racing with Paco Lopez (6/1 odds) in the irons. This bay five-year-old gelding by Freddo Cappuccino has won six of 23 career starts while earning $197.820, posting his best speed figure of 100. His most recent outing on December 18 at Gulfstream Park saw him finish fourth on turf at five furlongs after pressing the pace. Prior to that on November 15, he finished fourth in the $150.000 Cardinal Handicap on turf at Churchill Downs at 5 1/2 furlongs. Earlier on October 17, he won an optional claiming race on turf at Santa Anita at six furlongs by a neck after setting the pace. He also won at Fairmount Park on turf, finished second at Saratoga on turf, and won at Ellis Park on turf. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet six-furlong breeze in 1:10.1 at Fair Grounds on January 5. While his speed figures are competitive and he’s shown consistent form on turf, his complete lack of dirt experience in recent years and the surface switch from turf to dirt raise serious questions about whether he can translate his grass form to the main track in stakes company.
Continental represents Barcelona Farms with Irad Castillo (8/5 odds) guiding this bay four-year-old gelding by Cheveley Park. With nine wins from 15 career starts and earnings of $868.000, he brings the strongest credentials to this assignment. His most recent outing on December 13 at Fair Grounds saw him finish third on turf at 1 1/16 miles in the $125.000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf Stakes after pressing the pace, carrying 123 pounds. Prior to that on September 20, he finished fourth in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing at 1 1/8 miles after rallying from the back of the pack, carrying 122 pounds. Earlier on August 30, he finished tenth in the Grade 3 Nashville Derby on turf at Kentucky Downs. His most impressive performance came on July 19 when he finished second in the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park at 1 1/8 miles. He also won the $300.000 Texas Derby at Lone Star Park on May 26 by 3/4 lengths. His recent workouts show consistent preparation. His proven class at the highest levels of racing, including Grade 1 placings, makes him the clear standout despite the significant cutback from route distances to six furlongs, and he carries 125 pounds due to his recent stakes success.
Able Reaper Party brings modest credentials for Threshold with Martin Pedroza Jr. (12/1 odds) aboard this bay five-year-old gelding by Indistinguishable. With four wins from 16 career starts and earnings of $32.930, he enters off a victory on October 1 at Albuquerque at 5 1/2 furlongs by two lengths in claiming company, carrying 118 pounds. Prior to that on August 20, he finished sixth at Beulah Park at 6 1/2 furlongs in a claiming race. Earlier on June 28, he won an allowance race at Beulah Park at 6 1/2 furlongs by a head. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a six-furlong breeze in 1:10.3 at Woodbine on December 16. While he’s shown flashes of ability in allowance and claiming company, the massive class jump from claiming races to this stakes level presents a significant obstacle, and his modest speed figures suggest he’s significantly overmatched against proven stakes runners.
Cp Overthrown Scott represents Night Rider Stables with Brian Curtis (5/1 odds) riding this nine-year-old chestnut gelding by Scott The Great. With 12 wins from 39 career starts and earnings of $178.180, he enters off a third-place finish on December 22 in the $100.000 Boyd Stakes at Delta Downs at 7 1/2 furlongs after pressing the pace, carrying 123 pounds. Prior to that on November 26, he finished third at Tampa Bay Downs at seven furlongs in a claiming race. Earlier efforts include a second at Aqueduct, a victory at Aqueduct in September, and placings at Saratoga. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a six-furlong breeze in 1:11.2 at Delta Downs on January 6. While he’s shown consistent form and proven effective at sprint distances, his age (nine years old), claiming-level background throughout most of his career, and modest speed figures compared to the top runners raise questions about whether he can compete with the class horses in this field.
Pour Me A Drink completes the field for The Sidley Stud with Florent Geroux (10/1 odds) guiding this bay five-year-old gelding by Killer Martini. With four wins from 19 career starts and earnings of $63.120, he enters off a third-place finish on December 13 in the $125.000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint at Fair Grounds at six furlongs after pressing the pace, carrying 123 pounds. Prior to that on November 10, he finished fourth at Finger Lakes at 1 7/16 miles on a muddy track in allowance company. He was claimed for $4.000 afterward. Earlier on September 20, he won at Beulah Park at six furlongs by one length in claiming company. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a bullet six-furlong breeze in 1:10.1 at Parx Racing on November 27. While his recent third-place finish in the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint demonstrated his ability to compete at this level and distance, his claiming-level background and modest earnings suggest he may lack the class necessary to upset the top contenders.
Pace Scenario and Prediction
The pace structure should develop with Cambridge and Cp Overthrown Scott likely battling for the early lead, both having demonstrated consistent gate speed and the ability to control the tempo from the front. Pour Me A Drink has shown tactical speed to press the pace or stalk just behind the leaders, while Able Reaper Party may also factor into the early pace discussion. Continental will likely settle in mid-pack or come from off the pace based on his recent route racing, though the cutback to six furlongs may see him positioned closer to the early pace.
The projected winner is Continental, who brings the best combination of proven class and tactical versatility to this State Bred assignment. His Grade 1 Haskell Stakes runner-up finish and Pennsylvania Derby effort demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest levels of racing, and while the significant cutback from 1 1/8 miles to six furlongs presents questions, his early speed figures and tactical ability suggest he can adapt to the sprint distance. With Castillo able to position him perfectly behind or near the expected pace, Continental should have every opportunity to secure his tenth career victory against overmatched Louisiana-bred rivals. Cambridge appears a threat if he can handle the surface switch from turf to dirt, though his complete lack of recent dirt experience leaves serious questions. Cp Overthrown Scott could factor with his tactical speed and recent form, while Pour Me A Drink and Able Reaper Party round out the field with both needing significant improvement to threaten the top contenders in this competitive Louisiana-Bred stakes event.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded