How to bet the 2024 Louisiana Stakes

An excellent field of seven will go 1 1/16 miles on the main strip in Saturday’s $175,000 Louisiana S. (G3) at Fair Grounds. The race is led by a pair of contenders who figure to be among the better handicap runners this season, and I expect each of them to run well despite both coming off of layoffs. 

Louisiana Wagers

• $30 exacta 3 with 2 ($30)
• $2 superfecta 3 with 1,2 with 1,2 with all ($16)

Pennsylvania Derby (G1) star #3 Saudi Crown (8-5) will face pace pressure to his outside in the event which is not ideal, but the talented four-year-old still gets top billing in the contest. Conditioned by Brad Cox, the four-year-old son of Always Dreaming flashed huge potential last campaign while flashing imposing early foot, and it’s logical that the colt could be stronger in 2024. 

Saudi Crown, who narrowly missed in both the Jim Dandy (G2) and Dwyer (G3) last year, shows six consecutive morning moves in preparation for his return and looms large with something close to his best effort. The Kentucky-bred gray will be forcing the action from the break under the guidance of regular rider Florent Geroux. 

I’ve long been a fan of Kenny McPeek’s #2 Smile Happy (9-5), who finished second in the 2022 Risen Star S. (G2) in his lone local appearance to date. The dark bay son of Runhappy is 3-for-3 at the distance, and he has proven to be more than capable of performing off of the layoff, as well. 

The stalker, who was last seen finishing fifth in the Stephen Foster S. (G2) in the summer, has a fine turn of foot when he’s right and could be the one to hold off late with his best effort. If he repeats his powerful Alysheba S. (G2) triumph from May, then the five-year-old will be imposing in the latter stages of the race under Brian Hernandez, Jr. 

Of the pair of deep closers in the field, #1 Red Route One (5-1) is the more intriguing candidate from the rail. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the four-year-old colt will make his seasonal debut on Saturday in his initial try at Fair Grounds. The chestnut son of Gun Runner has banked more than $1.1 million in his career and might move forward in 2024, too. Joel Rosario will guide the Winchell homebred and have him saving ground to the top of the stretch in this tilt. 

I’ve long been a fan of Kenny McPeek’s #2 Smile Happy (9-5), who finished second in the 2022 Risen Star S. (G2) in his lone local appearance to date. The dark bay son of Runhappy is 3-for-3 at the distance, and he has proven to be more than capable of performing off of the layoff, as well. 

The stalker, who was last seen finishing fifth in the Stephen Foster S. (G2) in the summer, has a fine turn of foot when he’s right and could be the one to hold off late with his best effort. If he repeats his powerful Alysheba S. (G2) triumph from May, then the five-year-old will be imposing in the latter stages of the race under Brian Hernandez, Jr. 

Of the pair of deep closers in the field, #1 Red Route One (5-1) is the more intriguing candidate from the rail. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the four-year-old colt will make his seasonal debut on Saturday in his initial try at Fair Grounds. The chestnut son of Gun Runner has banked more than $1.1 million in his career and might move forward in 2024, too. Joel Rosario will guide the Winchell homebred and have him saving ground to the top of the stretch in this tilt.