The 153rd racing season at the Fair Grounds will begin on Friday at the historic race course in Gentilly. A look at some top jockeys to watch at the 2024-2025 meet:

Brian Hernandez Jr.

The Lafayette native became the ninth jockey in history and the first since Calvin Borel in 2009 to win the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in the same year. His victories on Thorpedo Anna in the Oaks and Mystik Dan in the Derby came via his longtime partnership with trainer Kenny McPeek. Over the summer, Hernandez Jr. was selected as the 2024 Mike Venezia Memorial Award recipient for his extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship.

Jose Ortiz

The younger brother of five-time Eclipse Award-winning rider, Irad, Jose Ortiz will be wintering at the Fair Grounds for the first time this year. The 31-year-old Puerto Rico native ranks fourth in the nation this year with more than $23 million in earnings. He won the 2017 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and won the Breeders Cup Mile this year aboard More Than Looks. He is expected to earn top mounts for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Axel Concepcion

The 19-year-old Puerto Rico native brings his tack to the Fair Grounds for the first time after riding at Turfway Park last winter. He is one of the rising stars in the sport, having won the 2023 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey after leading all apprentice jockeys in wins and earnings. He rode previously at Laurel Park in Maryland, where he earned the spring riding title, and at Delaware Park.

Ben Curtis

The 35-year-old Irishman returns to Gentilly after a successful debut season that saw him ride 43 winners and finish fourth in the 2023-2024 jockey standings. Curtis won the 2024 riding title at Colonial Downs with 24 winners and more than $1.3 million in earnings.

Jaime Torres

The 25-year-old Puerto Rico native returns to the Fair Grounds after a successful debut season a year ago. Torres won his first career stakes races at the Fair Grounds last year aboard Leslie’s Loot in the Letellier Memorial Stakes and Just Might in the Richard R. Scherer Memorial Stakes. Torres rode Seize the Grey to victory in the 2024 Preakness Stakes.

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Nov. 19: 2024-2025 Fair Grounds meet preview

Nov. 20: 5 Horses to Watch

Nov. 21: 5 Trainers to Watch