FG Stakes like Taking Candy from a baby

Fair Grounds Race Course stakes recap (Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir photo of Taking Candy winning the Fair Grounds Stakes)

New Orleans, La (Feb. 15, 2025) – Lael Stables’ Taking Candy scored his first graded stake in the $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes presented by Horse Racing Nation (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.  

Trained by Cherie DeVaux and stabled at her main Keeneland base, Taking Candy was piloted by Irad Ortiz Jr. In his first try at 1 1/18 miles, the son of Twirling Candy finished in 1:50.44 over a firm turf course to give DeVaux her third winner on the card. 

After breaking sharply, Taking Candy positioned himself nicely to track Higgins Boat who showed the way, clipping through opening fractions :23.63 and :49.62. Maneuvered to the rail by Ortiz Jr., Taking Candy saved every inch in the far turn and as the homestretch opened up to the field of nine males, Higgins Boat continued to ward off the bids of his stalkers while Taking Candy tipped out and produced the winning bid, finishing one length ahead of Higgins Boat.

“It was a beautiful trip,” Ortiz Jr. said. “He traveled so good. I kept him back and bided my time. When he got in the clear my colt was there for me.”

What Say Thee rallied late for third, followed by Idratherbeblessed, Unit Economics, Money Supply, Relampago Verde, Gigante, and Dean Martini. 

“Taking Candy has been a horse that has had a couple issues along the way,” DeVaux said. “Every time he runs, he tries. It’s rewarding that the Jacksons have been so patient with him and have allowed us to do our job to the best of our abilities.  I really just wanted to get him back to the races. He came in looking fantastic and ready to fire.”

Taking Candy returned $8.60, $5.00, and $3.80. Piloted by Declan Cannon, Higgins Boat paid $10.60 and $6, while What Say Thee, under Luis Saez, returned $4 to show.

Making the Fair Grounds Stakes the fourth victory of his nine-race career, Taking Candy improved his career record to 9-4-2-1, boosting his earnings to $280,730. Bred by KatieRich Farms of Midway, Ky., Taking Candy was a $400,000 OBS March 2-year-old purchase by Lael Stables after being sold for $155,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s Kentucky Select Yearling Sale. The Fair Grounds was Taking Candy’s first start since finishing third in a Churchill Downs allowance race won by What Say Thee, also breaking his maiden at the Louisville track as a 3-year-old.