Race 9 at Fair Grounds | Saturday, January 10 | Post Time 5:45 PM Eastern

Gary P. Palmisano Sr. Memorial Stakes | Purse $100,000 | Six Furlongs | Four Years Old and Upward

Top winning contenders are Bron and Brow (3), Geaux Sugar (6), Benoit (1)

Other contenders for second exactas: El Dinero (5)

Analysis and Contenders:

Bron and Brow (3) has run in 27 career dirt sprint races, finishing first or second 14 times (52%). One of his best races came in the 2023 Gary P. Palmisano Stakes, where he earned a career-best Equibase Speed Figure (101). He also won the edition of the same race in January 2024. He then won the Louisiana Bred Premier Sprint Stakes in February 2024. He lost 13 races before taking a 14-month layoff and returning to win in November 2025. Asmussen claimed Bron and Brow in January 2024, then lost him in a claim in May and reclaimed him in July 2024 after running once off the layoff. The Hall of Fame trainer believed this horse could return to his top form, which he demonstrated with the win in November. Bron and Brow then finished second in December. Both earned 96 figures, and I believe he can run much better than 15/1 starting odds and can win this race for the third time.

Geaux Sugar (6) has been the top Louisiana sprinter for the past two years, winning five of eight races and finishing second three times. One of those second-place finishes was in the 2025 running of this race. His best figures have been 104 and 100, with his recent best race being a win at the Louisiana Sprint in December. He is a tough horse and should race in first or second place, but his odds will likely be much lower than Bron and Brow.

Benoit (1) has also won or finished second in 50% of his races, with five wins and four second-place finishes. Recently, he has only raced twice, facing top Louisiana route winners like Touchuponstar. He took home the Star Guitar Stakes last March (2025) and then finished second in May before being sidelined for nine months. In his latest race last month, he finished fourth but may improve with his second race back after the layoff. Benoit previously won two sprints early in his career and finished second in another. He has a legitimate shot and 6/1 starting odds.

El Dinero (5) has finished ahead of Geaux Sugar in all six races they've competed in. He finished second twice and third once. I am only using El Dinero in second place in exactas.

Bets:

Wins: Bron and Brow (3) should be at fair odds of 3 to 1 or better.

Benoit (1) should also consider fair odds of 7 to 2 or better.

Exacta options:

Bron and Brow (3), Geaux Sugar (6), Benoit (1) over Bron and Brow (3), Geaux Sugar (6), Benoit (1), and El Dinero (5).