The 154th racing season at the Fair Grounds Race Course will begin Thursday at the historic track in Gentilly. A look at some top jockeys to watch at the 2025-2026 Fair Grounds racing meet:

Jose Ortiz

The dominant winner of last year’s Leading Jockey competition returns for a second season in New Orleans. The Puerto Rico native is the nation’s third leading rider, with 284 wins and more than $31 million in earnings this season. He’ll have first call on mounts from the powerful barns of trainers Joe Sharp and Cherie DeVaux, among others.

Brian Hernandez Jr.

one of the track's most popular riders, will also be back. The Lafayette native recently returned to racing after missing seven weeks of competition because of injuries suffered from a spill. Hernandez was injured in a Sept. 21 inc

See Full Page