While the Louisiana Derby (G2) is the marquee race on Saturday's program at Fair Grounds, the marquee horse competing on the card is reigning three-year-old colt champion Sierra Leone.

One year after romping as the favorite in the Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds, Jay Em Ess Stable’s Miles Ahead returned to defend his title in less auspicious circumstances.

The first open stakes of the meet, the $225,000 Thanksgiving Classic, has evolved into a graded quality race in recent years, and the 2024 edition of the six-furlong dash is a case in point.

The stakes-packed Friday evening card at Charles Town provided a chance for proven stakes winners to add rich victories to their decorated resumes.

Dragoon Guard wired the West Virginia Derby (G3) to continue his ascent in the sophomore division, while Hit Show rallied up the rail to take the West Virginia Governor’s (G3).