Race Of The Week: Louisiana Derby

By Derek Simon

No horse that used the Louisiana Derby (G2) as its final Kentucky Derby prep has ever gone on to wear the roses on the first Saturday in May and this edition of the race demonstrates why.

It’s not exactly a who’s who of racing royalty.

Yeah, trainer Todd Pletcher has a couple of entries — Noble Indy and Hyndford — and he’s won the Louisiana Derby three times and the Kentucky Derby twice. And, sure, D. Wayne Lukas is represented as well. The “Coach” saddles Bravazo, 21-1 upset winner of the Risen Star. Lukas is a two-time winner of the LA Derby and he’s posed for pictures in the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle four times.

But there’s nothing to really get the pulse pumping in Saturday’s Fair Grounds feature — no McKinzie, no Bold D’Oro, no Justify even.

Still, what it lacks in star power, it makes up for in betting drama, as there is no clear favorite and few obvious longshots.

Click here for a horse-by-horse look at the field.