(Photo of Trainer Al Stall)

To say there is a bit of a logjam at the top of the Trainer’s Leader Board at this year’s current race meeting at The Fair Grounds, would be a bit of an understatement. It is about as tight as a sailor’s knot on a lead shank.

For example, there is Al Stall, who has put together an impressive record of 11 wins, 9 seconds and 3 thirds in his first 42 starts and has already amassed over $442,000 in purse earnings.  He would be considered the leader of the group, if you looked at the amount of money his horses have earned to date.

Yet, there are trainers Brad Cox and Joe Sharp, both of whom have already collected 12 trips to the winner’s circle. Cox has done it with 38 starters, with another 2 seconds and 7 thirds. Sharp has put together his 12 wins, along with 6 seconds and 7 thirds in 47 starts.

Then, too, in the mix is none other that Michael Stidham.  He has 10 winners, 7 seconds and 4 thirds in only 37 starts, but has earned more purse money than Sharp.

That’s not even taking into account the early exploits of Victor Arceneaux, who has saddled two winners and one third in just 4 starts this meet. His “In The Money” percentage is off the charts at .75% and his “Earnings Per Start” is nearly $26,000, as his horses have already totaled $102,160.  Not to bad.

And, we haven’t even mentioned Mark Casse, Steve Asmussen and Tom Amoss — third of the most successful, talented and respected horsemen on the grounds in the Big Easy.

Needless to say, it is going to be an interesting battle that may go down to the wire in March 2018.

Here is a closer look at the Top 25 standings:

1 Albert M. Stall, Jr. 42 — 11 9 3 $442,820 26% 55%
2 Brad H. Cox 38 — 12 2 7 $373,545 32% 55%
3 Michael Stidham 37 — 10 7 4 $319,475 27% 57%
4 Joe Sharp 47 — 12 6 7 $208,460 26% 53%
5 Mark E. Casse 22 — 6 2 0 $190,370 27% 36%
6 Steven M. Asmussen 36 — 6 3 5 $179,210 17% 39%
7 Thomas M. Amoss 25 — 6 7 0 $173,960 24% 52%
8 Danny Pish 22 — 2 5 4 $127,830 9% 50%
9 James E. Hodges 14 — 5 0 2 $126,480 36% 50%
10 Karl Broberg 32 — 5 3 4 $125,250 16% 38%
11 Victor Arceneaux 4 — 2 0 1 $103,110 50% 75%
12 Howard Alonzo 19 — 2 0 2 $102,160 11% 21%
13 Sam B. David, Jr. 18 — 5 4 2 $96,210 28% 61%
14 Scott Gelner 18 — 3 2 1 $94,960 17% 33%
15 W. Bret Calhoun 28 — 3 1 2 $91,215 11% 21%
16 Ron Faucheux 23 — 1 8 3 $84,640 4% 52%
17 Chris A. Hartman 15 — 2 4 2 $80,600 13% 53%
18 Thomas Morley 8 — 3 0 2 $74,040 38% 63%
19 Anthony F. Rini 13 — 4 2 3 $73,710 31% 69%
20 Corale A. Richards 25 — 3 4 1 $72,320 12% 32%
21 Edward J. Johnston 17 — 1 2 1 $69,195 6% 24%
22 Lee Thomas 15 — 3 4 1 $63,940 20% 53%
23 Bernard S. Flint 9 — 2 2 1 $55,240 22% 56%
24 Eric L. Heitzmann 12 — 2 2 1 $54,470 17% 42%
25 Michael J. Maker 7 — 1 3 1 $54,050 14% 71%