Dating back to 1894 but not always held annually, the L ouisiana Derby has a long and rich history. Currently, raced at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, LA this race has produced many KY Derby entries, some KY Derby winners and many champion Thoroughbreds. With the step up in prep points comes a step up in distance with this race. The Louisiana Derby asks contenders to race it at 1 and 3/16 miles, moving ever so closer the the KY Derby distance.
The Grade II, $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby will redefine the leaderboard! This is a thoroughbred stakes race on dirt for 3 year-olds. On 3/20/21 tune into NBCSN, TVG or TVG2. The big stakes race posts at 6:44 pm ET. Fair Grounds will feature the Louisiana Derby as race 14 of 14 on a card that starts at 12:20 pm ET.
The all KY bred and all colt entries are as follows by post/horse/jockey/trainer/and morning-line odds/( current KY Derby Points earned) and then later with (sire-dam) career entries (wins-2nds-3rds) and more detail:
- Starrininmydreams/Luis Saez/Dallas Stewart/20-1(0)
- Rightandjust/Colby Hernandez/Shane Wilson/20-1(0)
- Run Classic/Brian Hernandez Jr./W. Calhoun/12-1(0)
- Proxy/John Velazquez/Michael Stidham/7-2(24)
- Hot Rod Charlie/Joel Rosario/Leandro Mora/3-1(10)
- Mandaloun/Florent Geroux/Brad Cox/8-5(52)
- Midnight Bourbon/Joseph Talamo/Steven Asmussen/5-1(26)
- O Besos/Marcelino Pedroza/Gregory Foley/15-1(5)
Starininmydreams (Super Saver – Boy Crazy) 3(2-0-0) has participated in only one KY Derby prep race where he finished 9th and earned no points. His last start was the prep, The Risen Star Stakes, at Fair Grounds, in February. Trainer, Stewart, has won the Louisiana Derby in the past.
Rightandjust (Awesome Again – Pussyfoot) 4(2-0-0) has raced exclusively at Fair Grounds and also saw the Risen Star as his only prep. He finished 6th in that attempt.
Run Classic (Runhappy – Pledge Pin) 2 (1-1-0) is also a regular at Fair Grounds. His 2 career starts were there, both maiden races. His trainer, Calhoun, and his jockey, Hernandez, have both won the Louisiana Derby.
Proxy (Tapit – Panty Raid) 5(2-3-0) has had 4 of his last 5 career starts at Fair Grounds. He has picked up 24 KY Derby prep points. He finished second place in both the Lecomte (4 points) and the Risen Star Stakes (20 points). His jockey, Velazquez, has won the Louisiana Derby.
Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow – Indian Miss) 6(1-1-2) has not raced at Fair Grounds or in LA. He is primarily raced in California but made an important visit to my hometrack in Kentucky, Keeneland! In my town he finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, scoring his first prep points (8 points). Back in CA he was 3rd in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita and he gathered more prep points (2 points).
Mandaloun (Into Mischief – Brooch) 4(3-0-1) had his last 2 starts right at Fair Grounds. He broke his maiden at Keeneland! While at Fair Grounds he got KY Derby prep points with a 3rd place finish in the Lecomte (2 points) and a 1st place finish in the Risen Star (50 points). Just last year, the jockey/trainer combo, Geroux/Cox won the Louisiana Derby.
Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow – Catch The Moon) 6(2-1-3) was also settled at Fair Grounds in his last 2 entries. Of the entire KY Derby leaderboard, this colt has had the most success in KY Derby prep races. He has finished with points in 4 preps. The very first race on The Road, was The Iroquois. Raced at The Home Of The KY Derby, Churchill Downs, he finished second (4 points). Next, he shipped to NY and showed in the Champagne Stakes (2 points). Then he relocated to LA and won in the Lecomte (10 points) and then finished 3rd in the Risen Star (10 points). One more win for trainer, Asmussen, would tie him for most Louisiana Derby wins. Currently, Asmussen has won 3 times!
O Besos (Orb – Snuggs and Kisses) 4 (2-0-0) has raced with success at Fair Grounds. His last 3 entries were there, after a start at Churchill Downs. He was 4th in his last entry, the Risen Star (5 points).
Therefore, you can see that there is a great mix of thoroughbreds with KY Derby prep experiences, successes and some newbies too. Just like last weekend, there is always a chance to spring to the top of the leaderboard at this point on The Road. Look for a lot of changes as we double the digits of available prep points. I wish the best to all and I eagerly await the entertainment. I appreciate all of the comments and sharing. Please, continue to follow Thoroughbred U on The Road to the KY Derby and all great things in racing.
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