The Louisiana Derby Tipsheet

An excellent field of eight will travel 1 3/16 miles at Fair Grounds on Saturday in the lucrative $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2). The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby event will reward the top four finishers with qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 structure towards the Run for the Roses on May 1. It is headlined by the top four finishers from the local prep, the Risen Star S. (G2).

Louisiana Derby Picks

• #6 Mandaloun
• #5 Hot Rod Charlie
• #4 Proxy
• #7 Midnight Bourbon

Louisiana Derby Wagers

• $20 Win #6 Mandaloun
• $5 Exacta Key Box 6 with 4,5
• $2 Trifecta Key 6 with 4,5,7

Louisiana Derby Contenders

#1 STARRININMYDREAMS was 2-for-2 prior to never factoring in the Risen Star for Dallas Stewart. Bay son of Super Saver has posted four solid drills in the interim, but he will need huge improvement to be a contender on Saturday.

#2 RIGHTANDJUST led to the top of the lane before tiring late in the Risen Star last time out. Speedy sort receives a much better post assignment on this occasion, and he might carry his speed a bit further on Saturday as a potential exotics player. Colby Hernandez has the call.

#3 RUN CLASSIC graduated in style on the course for Calhoun and intrigues in his first appearance with winners. $475,000 son of Runhappy is obviously very talented and looked the part in his two-turn debut most recently, but he takes a hefty class rise against a sharp field. Brian Hernandez will guide the prospect.

#4 PROXY has been runner-up in both the Risen Star and Lecomte S. (G3) at the meeting and will race with blinkers for the initial time. Well-bred Godolphin colorbearer shows a trio of very good morning moves in preparation for Saturday, and he could post a mild upset if the equipment change moves him forward. John Velazquez coming back to ride is a major positive.

#5 HOT ROD CHARLIE was a neck third in his seasonal debut at Santa Anita and makes his first outing on the surface for Mora. The reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) second-placer is a major question mark at the distance in his second outing of 2021, but he has moved forward in a big way since adding blinkers three back, and I also think that he possesses the right running style for this particular race. Oxbow colt retains the services of Rosario.

#6 MANDALOUN rebounded from his first defeat with a measured tally in the Risen Star for Brad Cox. The top selection continues to train forwardly this campaign, and I think that the Juddmonte homebred will thrive with the added ground in this endeavor, as well. The tactical bay colt will be in striking range throughout with Florent Geroux in the stirrups. 

#7 MIDNIGHT BOURBON followed up his Lecomte coup with a solid third-place result in the Risen Star last time out. Asmussen pupil is bred for the trip, and he comes in with a bullet morning drill on the oval. Joe Talamo will have the Tiznow colt pressing the pace from the opening bell.

#8 O BESOS came home fourth in the Risen Star in his route debut and is eligible for improvement second time going long. Chestnut son of Orb gets a tricky draw on the outside after traveling wide throughout in his latest performance, but he can challenge for a placing late with a sensible trip beneath Pedroza.