Fair Grounds: Finding Value in the Louisiana Stakes

A total of six will go postward in the $150,000 Louisiana S. (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile contest is led by two of the top sophomores from 2021, #2 Mandaloun (1-1) and #3 Midnight Bourbon (6-5), who will both be making their respective four-year-old debuts. While I find it hard to imagine that any other contender in the field will upset both of the talented colts, I do think it’s quite possible that one can split the pair and add great value to the mutuels.

Mandaloun is using the Louisiana as a springboard to a trip to the desert later in the season. The Brad Cox pupil was a fantastic three-year-old who was last seen being elevated to the top spot in the Haskell S. (G1) in July, and he has trained well in advance of his seasonal bow. The Juddmonte homebred has also put in two excellent races on the surface, and anything close to his best makes him the one to beat on Saturday.

The Steve Asmussen-trained Midnight Bourbon was only victorious on one occasion from nine tries last campaign, but the sturdy Tiznow colt was classic-placed with three additional top-three finishes in the Grade 1 ranks. The bay did some of his best work at Fair Grounds as well, and he rarely runs a subpar race. He will show up wearing blinkers for the first time on Saturday, although it remains to be seen if the equipment change will move him forward at four. Joel Rosario will ride the stout Kentucky-bred and put him in the race from the start.

Bret Calhoun’s #6 Warrant (12-1) has been first or second in six straight, led by a victory in the Oklahoma Derby (G3) last time out to cap his solid three-year-old season. The son of Constitution didn’t face the best of his division last campaign, but he displayed excellent consistency, combined with the ability to stay a route of ground, with success against strong competition. The Kentucky-bred chestnut will stalk the pace early on under Brian Hernandez, and he will be ready to capitalize if either of the top duo falters late.

Louisiana Stakes Wagers

• $10 trifecta 2,3 with 2,3,6 with 2,3,6 ($40)
• $10 trifecta 2,3 with 2,3 with 6 ($20)