Louisiana Derby at Fairgrounds Racecourse
Las Vegas, NV - The 100th running of the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby comes our way from Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana this Saturday, March 30. A group of three year olds will be after the winner?s share of the $1 million purse and more importantly the 100 points toward qualification in the Kentucky Derby in May when they go 1 1/8 miles on Fair Grounds main track.
The Louisiana Derby has attracted a full field of 14 Kentucky Derby hopefuls for race 9 on Fair Grounds packed Saturday card. Post time is 5:44 PM. Here is a look into the past performances of all 14 entries that will race for the $1 million purse and the 100-40-20-10 points for first to fourth place toward qualification for the Run for the Roses in May.
2013 Louisiana Derby Race Favorites
Revolutionary - highly regarded Todd Pletcher trained colt raced in stakes company for the first time last time out and came up big ? a win in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct February 2. Before that he had recorded a win, a second and two third place finishes in four career Maiden Special Weight races ? the win was an 8 1/2 length win over Transparent at Aqueduct December 28 over 1 mile. He is currently twenty-fourth in the standings and will need a good effort in order to jump to the top 20 qualifiers.
Code West - Bob Baffert pupil is enters off a nice second place finish by a nose to Ive Struck a Nerve in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds February 23 after and in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Santa Anita January 31. In 2012 he had four MSW starts with a win, a second and two third place finishes. Code West is currently seventeenth in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings and will be looking for the necessary points to hold onto his standing and a berth in the Kentucky Derby.
Louisiana Derby 2013 | Remaining Field Entries
Palace Malice - Todd Pletcher trained colt has been in the money in all four of his career starts. He is coming off a good third 1/2 length back in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes here February 23 after a win in a MSW in his second career start and a pair of second place finishes. He is tied for twenty-sixth in the standings and will be looking to jump up the board with a good finish Saturday.
Titletown Five - D. Wayne Lukas pupil had four MSW races with a win, a second and a third place finish before his stakes debut last time out ? an OK second in the minor Gazebo Stakes at Oaklawn Park February 3. He is the co-fourth choice in the Louisiana Derby along with?
Departing - has three career starts for trainer Albert Stall Jr. and three wins ? the last and most impressive being at the minor Texas Heritage Stakes at Sam Houston March 2. Before that was an Allowance Optional Claiming score here in January and a MSW score in her career debut on this track December 22. He is the co-fourth choice in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings and needs a good result to get into the top 20.
Proud Strike - Broke maiden two back in a MSW on this track for trainer Steve Asmussen to follow a second and a third place finish in two other MSW races to start his career. Last time out was an eighth here in the Grade 2 Risen Star February 23. He is not quite the caliber of the top six entries but could make some noise Saturday.
Sunbean - Albert Stall trained colt has four career starts ? all on this track. He started with a second in a MSW but has won the next three in a row including the minor Gentilly Staked last time out February 23 and the Louisiana Futurity three back on December 31. He knows and loves this track and is an interesting prospect for the Louisiana Derby.
Mylute - finished second to Bern Identity in the minor Jean Lafitte Stakes October 20 after a fifth in the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity September 8. Since then has been some OK results ? a third in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot November 17 was followed by an Allowance Optional Claiming score December 26 on this track. Last time out was a seventh in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes here February 23.
Golden Soul - has raced two straight graded stakes races in her four race career and is coming off a sixth in the Grade 2 Risen Star here February 23 and a good second two back in the Grade 2 LeComte Stakes also here January 19. He started his career with a second in a MSW and followed that with a MSW score on this track December 30.
Ground Transport - has just three career starts all on this track but enters the Louisiana Derby on a two race win streak ?an Allowance Optional Claiming score last time out after a MSW win January 19. His other result ? a second in a MSW December 22.
Nina`s Dragon - Is coming off a very nice second in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate February 16 in his stakes debut for trainer Lloyd Mason. Before that was a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming and a win and a third respectively in a pair of MSW races to start his career.
Brazilian Court - Michael Maker pupil has nine starts already with one win and four second place finishes. Last time out was a second in the OBS Championship (Colt and Gelding Division) Stakes at Ocala Training Center after his only career win ? a Maiden Claiming at Gulfstream January 30.
Whiskey Bravo - had a win three back in a Maiden Claiming here January 25 but has a pair if sixths sandwiched around that result. Last time out was his stakes debut which resulted in a fourth place finish in the minor Texas Heritage Stakes at Sam Houston March 2.
Hip Four Sixtynine - has seven career starts ? all MSW. He finally broke maiden last time out February 23 on this track after six previous starts produced only a pair of money results - second place finishes in his first two career starts.
