Louisiana Derby Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Mar 21)

Major prep action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is set for this weekend, as Fair Grounds hosts the G2 Louisiana Derby. This race has twice produced the winner of the opening leg of the Triple Crown, and it boasts a lucrative purse of $1 million. Find the odds and our Louisiana Derby picks here.

Odds

Louisiana Derby: Recent Winners

Louisiana Derby: Event Information

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Race Preview

The first of the big races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby that will see the field for the race at Churchill Downs take shape will be staged at Fair Grounds on Saturday. A field of nine will go to post, with major chances entered from the barns of Brad Cox, Kenneth McPeek, and Chad Brown.

However, this has typically been a launching pad for Steven Asmussen’s main Derby hope, meaning that Chip Honcho should be respected. The three-year-old was the winner of the Gun Runner Stakes last term, before finishing an eye-catching second to Paladin in the G2 Risen Star last time.

Golden Tempo shouldn’t be dismissed after finishing third in the G2 Risen Star last time. The Cherie DeVaux runner got the better of Chip Honcho at the start of the calendar year, impressively landing the G3 Lecomte Stakes.

Pavlovian has been highly-tried already, but a return to form was highlighted last time when landing the Sunland Park Derby. Emerging Market is the Brown runner, but he will need to contend with a wide draw. However, he was mightily impressive when landing a maiden special weight last time.

Blacksmith is the runner from the Bob Baffert yard this weekend. The three-year-old is well-bred to excel over this trip, but his recent workouts have dampened expectations. Got off the mark at the fifth attempt last time when winning a maiden special weight at Santa Anita.

Louisiana Derby Picks

The G2 Risen Star form line is key for Exotics this weekend, with both Chip Honcho and Golden Tempo likely to finish in the first three. However, at a price, Autobahn could be an interesting win angle.

The Cox-trained runner finally got to grips with life on track last time, impressively getting his nose in front to land a maiden special weight at Gulfstream. He should be suited by the conditions this weekend, and a coming-of-age performance could be on the cards.