Louisiana Derby Betting Odds: Prep Race Preview

Louisiana Derby Betting Odds: Despite the fact that only two horses have completed the Louisiana Derby (G2) – Kentucky Derby (G1) double, the signature race for the Fair Grounds meet is still one of the most important stops on the Triple Crown trail.

Even before points determined who would make the gate to Run for the Roses, or the Louisiana Derby’s $1 million purse attracted the owners of prominent 3-year-olds from across the country, the now 1 3/16-mile race – a new distance this year — always seemed to feature some exceptional horses attempting to make the Derby.

Louisiana Derby Betting Odds: Prep Race Preview

Horse Racing – Photo Credit: Ernie Belmonte

Race History

The Louisiana Derby, set for Saturday, was first run as the Crescent City Derby, a common nickname for the famous and historic French Quarter in New Orleans which, thanks to a bend in the Mississippi River, is shaped like a crescent.

The race was later renamed to honor the state of Louisiana and was first held at the long-since-gone Crescent City Race Course in 1894, made a stop at now defunct Jefferson Park and then went on to Fair Grounds in 1839 where it has remained.

Though it wasn’t held in some years for various reasons, in 2006 the race was canceled because the track was partially destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Louisiana Derby Betting Odds: The Show Goes On

This year the show will go on despite an international coronavirus pandemic, though without spectators, bringing a big slice of normalcy pie to racing participants and fans needing some in uncertain times. It will be shown as part of TVG’s daily coverage of racing despite the dwindling open venues, so check local listings.

Black Gold (1924) and Grindstone (1996) are the lucky two who have swept the Louisiana Derby and Kentucky Derby, but that’s not to say some good horses haven’t run in the Pelican State’s main Derby prep.

Risen Star won in 1988 before finishing third in the Derby and then winning the Preakness (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1), and 2017’s Horse of the Year Gun Runner won in 2016. Other recognizable names to win the Louisiana Derby include Friesan Fire, Circular Quay, Peace Rules, Master Derby, and Rushaway.

A year ago, Allied Racing’s By My Standards won and went on to Louisville to finish 11th in the mud, and after taking the rest of 2019 off returned to win a Fair Ground allowance a month ago.

However, the most significant runner to come out of the 2019 Louisiana Derby was fourth-place finisher Country House, who we all now know was declared the Derby winner after the disqualification of Maximum Security.

He never raced again after coming down will an illness and subsequently laminitis after the Derby and is now retired. His connections are still shopping a stallion deal for the son of Lookin At Lucky.

Points / Winners

The Louisiana Derby is the first of seven races this Derby season to offer 100 points to the winner, with 40, 20 and 10 on the line for second through fourth.

Whoever takes the win will certainly earn enough points to make the Derby starting gate, though more prep races are surely to be offered this year with the Derby being rescheduled from May 2 to Sept. 5.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has sent out four Louisiana Derby winners (2007, Circular Quay; 2010, Mission Impazible; 2013, Revolutionary; and 2018, Noble Indy) to hold the record of most winners.

Hall of Famer Pat Day owns the victory record for riders, having booted home five (1986, Country Light; 1987, J.T.’s Pet; 1991, Richman; 1992, Line in the Sand; and 1997, Crypto Star).

The fastest time for the race at the previous nine-furlong distance remains the 1:48 2/5 by Clev Er Tell posted in 1977.

The weather in New Orleans on Saturday is expected to be warm, but wet with rain all day likely and a high in the mid-70s. The feature race has been carded as the 12th with a post time of 4:49 p.m. CT.

Louisiana Derby Betting Odds: Field of 16

Horse Odds Jockey Trainer Breeding
1. Major Fed 8/1 J. Rosario G. Foley Ghostzapper—Bobby’s Babe, by Smart Strike
2. Mailman Money 15/1 G. Saez W. Calhoun Goldencents—Running Debi C, by Unbridled’s Song
3. Wells Bayou 8/1 F. Geroux B. Cox

Lookin At Lucky—Whispering Angel, by Hard Spun

4. Chestertown 15/1 J. Velazquez S. Asmussen Tapit—Artemis Agrotera, by Roman Ruler
5. Social Afleet 50/1 A. Beschizza D. Stewart

Northern Afleet—So Social, by Proud Truth

6. Shake Some Action 15/1 C. Hernandez B. Cox

Into Mischief—Tiz a Chick, by Tiznow

7. Sharecropper 20/1 M. Mena A. Stall, Jr.

Pioneerof the Nile—Blue Violet, by Curlin

8. Royal Act 10/1 A. Cedillo P. Eurton

American Pharoah—True Feelings, by Latent Heat

9. Portos 8/1 I. Ortiz, Jr. T. Pletcher Tapit—Fierce Boots, by Tiznow
10. Enforceable 7/2 J. Leparoux M. Casse

Tapit—Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union

11. Ny Traffic 15/1 L. Saez S. Joseph, Jr. Cross Traffic–Mamie Reilly, by Graeme Hall
12. Lynn’s Map 30/1 T. Gaffalione M. Casse

Liam’s Map—Puxa Saco, by Dehere

13. Silver State 6/1 R. Santana, Jr. S. Asmussen

Hard Spun—Supreme, by Empire Maker

14. Modernist 6/1 J. Alvarado W. Mott

Uncle Mo—Symbolic Gesture, by Bernardini

15. (AE) Mr. Big News 20/1 R. Albarado W. Calhoun

Giant’s Causeway—Unappeased, by Galileo

16. (AE) Farmington Road 12/1 J. Castellano T. Pletcher

Quality Road—Silver La Belle, by Langfuhr

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