Exclusive 2025 Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks LIVE chat ahead of Saturday racing
Ova Charged wins the Mardi Gras at Fair Grounds (Photo courtesy of Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots)
March 21st, 2025
Join us for an hour long lively chat about this Saturday's horse racing today, before the action begins on the Road to the Kentucky Derby at Fair Grounds and Turfway. Discover Jeff Ruby Steaks and Louisiana Derby picks, odds, entries, analysis, and more. Find out what our group of experts—Vance Hanson, Kellie Reilly, Jennifer Kelley, and Keeler Johnson,—think of John Hancock the morning-line favorite for the Louisiana Derby. Are their any longshots worth looking at in the Jeff Ruby? Could there be Kentucky Derby horses among the field?
Jump in on the conversation and share your picks for Saturday betting at horse races this weekend to build that bankroll by placing those best bets!
INDEX
Louisiana Derby Day Schedule
| R1 | 1:00 PM | Crescent City Derby | 4:00 PM |
| R2 | 1:30 PM | Tom Benson Memorial S. | 4:32 PM |
| R3 | 2:00 PM | New Orleans S. (G2) | 5:04 PM |
| R4 | 2:30 PM | Muniz Memorial Classic S. (G2) | 5:36 PM |
| Crescent City Oaks | 3:00 PM | Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) | 6:08 PM |
| Coasta Rising S. | 3:30 PM | Louisiana Derby (G2) | 6:42 PM |
Jeff Ruby Steaks Day Schedule
| R1 | 12:45 PM | Latonia S. | 3:43 PM |
| R2 | 1:13 PM | Rushaway S. | 4:13 PM |
| R3 | 1:43 PM | Animal Kingdom S. | 5:13 PM |
| R4 | 2:13 PM | Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) | 5:43 PM |
| R5 | 2:43 PM | Bournette Oaks | 5:43 PM |
| R6 | 3:13 PM | Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) | 6:25 PM |
Kingsbarns winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography/Jamie Newell)
Kentucky Derby preps: How productive is the Louisiana Derby?
For decades, the Louisiana Derby had minimal impact on the Kentucky Derby. But that has changed sharply since the 1990s. The race has produced four Kentucky Derby winners since the 1990s—four times as many winners as in the preceding 70 years—and the Louisiana Derby is on track to produce 34 Kentucky Derby starters in the 2020s, which would mark a 143% increase from 14 starters in the 1990s. But what about now? CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Meet our panel of experts
Vance Hanson has been a contributing writer and editor for BRISnet.com, TwinSpires.com and KentuckyDerby.com since 2008. Prior to joining the Churchill Downs Inc. family, he served as a publicity assistant at Canterbury Park and as a handicapper/writer for Daily Racing Form.
Kellie Reilly is a journalist and turf writer specializing in international horse racing, an expert in pedigree, and more as a life-long avid horse racing enthusiast.
Jennifer Kelly is a horse racing historian, writer, and author of Sir Barton and the Making of the Triple Crown and The Foxes of Belair: Gallant Fox, Omaha, and the Quest for the Triple Crown. When she's not writing about racing's past, she's watching and wagering on racing's present, eagerly awaiting our next Triple Crown winner.
J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse.
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Join us tomorrow for our LIVE blog covering the Louisiana Derby, Jeff Ruby Steaks, and more Saturday horse racing at Turfway Park and Fair Grounds. Travel with TwinSpires for your all access pass on the Road to the Kentucky Derby for the first 100 point races ahead of the 151st Kentucky Derby.
We'll have up to date horse racing news, picks, entries, post times, analysis, and more. Don't forget to tune in tomorrow at 2:30 PM EST.
