Thoughts on the All-Graded Stakes Pick 4 on Louisiana Derby Day

Saturday's $500,000 Guaranteed All-Graded Stakes Pick 4 at Fair Grounds encompasses the New Orleans track's most prestigious annual features. With a 50-cent minimum, plenty of ground can be covered in the sequence. Here are our thoughts. Race 10 -- New Orleans H. (G2) Not sure if the 15-1 ML will hold, but that's a big price on last year's Louisiana Derby (G2) winner #4 NOBLE INDY. Though well beaten every start since that victory 12 months ago, his comeback at Gulfstream was in a tough spot against the classy sprinter X Y Jet in the slop. Todd Pletcher has won this race more times (six) than any other trainer, and wouldn't put it past this gelding to wake up on the return here. #9 BANDUA (12-1) will reportedly opt for this over the Grade 2 turf event, a slight surprise given he's never tried dirt before. However, the Calumet homebred is well-bred for it. Has placed in the Secretariat (G1) and Fair Grounds H. (G3) since his re-importation, and distance will be absolutely no problem. #10 COPPER BULLET's two-turn debut in last month's Razorback H. (G3) was a solid effort, and an extra sixteenth here could prove beneficial with the right pace setup. Race 11 -- Muniz Memorial (G2) There are a couple other nice veterans in this lineup, but this race goes through Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) winner #7 BRICKS AND MORTAR (2-1) and #3 SYNCHRONY (3-1), who is undefeated in four starts over this lawn. Race 12 -- TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) #2 SERENGETI EMPRESS (6-5) is the filly to beat off an impressive tally in the Rachel Alexandra (G2). She's expected to say "Catch me if you can" here, but in the event she gets soften up slightly, #4 SWEET DIANE (8-1) looks like an interesting longshot. From the family of champion juvenile Good Magic and bred to excel with maturity, she could move forward off her two-turn stakes debut in last month's Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs, in which she finished third. Highly capable trainer-jockey combo of Stidham/Bravo in her corner. Race 13 -- TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) #6 WAR OF WILL (6-5) is obviously the horse to beat following comfortable wins in the Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G2). #3 LIMONITE (20-1) did not have the smoothest of trips in the Risen Star, which was his first start since November. Showed potential when third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) last fall. #10 SPINOFF (8-1) goes for a Pletcher barn that has a race-record four wins in this fixture. Has lots of scope for improvement. Here's the ticket: 4,9,10 with 3,7 with 2,4 with 3,6,10 = $18.   Be sure to take advantage of TwinSpires.com's $5,000 Pick 4 Winsurance offer on Saturday. Opt in and bet at least $150 on the Louisiana Derby Day card to unlock the Winsurance. Then play one or more of the four Pick 4 pools throughout the card to earn shares of the prize pool. In each pool you have a winning ticket, you'll earn five (5) shares of the prize pool. In each pool you fail to cash a ticket you'll earn one (1) share of the prize pool. Up to 20 shares are available per person. TwinSpires.com is also offering a Louisiana Derby Day Bet Back. Opt in and bet at least five races on the card, and if your first Win bet on a single horse or entry finishes second, get your bet back up to $5 per race.   (Synchrony photo: Hodges Photography)