So far, just two horses in history have completed the Louisiana Derby (G2)/Kentucky Derby (G1) double yet the Pelican State’s premier prep for the Run for the Roses still is one of the most important stops on the Triple Crown trail. Even before points determined who would make the gate or before the $1 million purse attracted the connections of prominent 3-year-olds from across the country, the now 1 3/16-mile race always seemed to feature some exceptional horses attempting to make the Derby starting gate.
The Louisiana Derby was first run as the Crescent City Derby, a common nickname for the famous and historic French Quarter in New Orleans which, due to a prominent bend in the Mississippi River, is shaped like a crescent. The race was later renamed to honor the entire state of Louisiana and was first held at the long-since-gone Crescent City Race Course in 1894. The contest made a brief stop a stop at the now defunct Jefferson Park and then went on to Fair Grounds in 1839 where it remains.
Though the Louisiana Derby wasn’t held in different years for various reasons, in 2006 the race was cancelled because the track was partially destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Once again, the race is sponsored by TwinSpires.com this year.
Black Gold (1924) and Grindstone (1996) are the lucky two to have swept both the Louisiana Derby and Kentucky Derby, but that’s not to say some good horses haven’t run in the Pelican State’s main Derby prep. Risen Star won in 1988 before finishing third in the Derby and then winning the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1), and 2017’s Horse of the Year Gun Runner won in 2016. Other recognizable names to win the Louisiana Derby throughout the years include Friesan Fire, Circular Quay, Peace Rules, Master Derby, Rushaway and many more.
Allied Racing’s millionaire By My Standards won this race in 2019 and went on to Louisville to finish 11th in the Derby mud, and in 2020, Wells Bayou won as the favorite but never won again and was retired two years ago. The highly regarded Hot Rod Charlie won in 2021 before a second in the Derby and Belmont Stakes, and eventual Travers Stakes (G1) hero Epicenter was victorious in 2022. Kingsbarns won last year before finishing 14th under the Twin Spires.
But the most significant recent runner to come out of the Louisiana Derby was 2019’s fourth-place finisher Country House, who we all now know was declared that year’s Kentucky Derby winner after the disqualification of Maximum Security. He never raced again after coming down will an illness and subsequently laminitis after the Derby and is now retired and is standing his second season at stud at Darby Dan Farm near Lexington, Kentucky.
The Louisiana Derby offers 100 points to the winner, with 50, 25, 15 and 10 on the line for second- through fifth-place finishes. Whoever takes the win will certainly earn enough points to make the Derby starting gate.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has sent out five Louisiana Derby winners (2007, Circular Quay; 2010, Mission Impazible; 2013, Revolutionary; 2018, Noble Indy; and 2023, Kingsbarns) to hold the current record of most winners. Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day owns the victory record for riders, having booted home five (1986, Country Light; 1987, J.T.’s Pet; 1991, Richman; 1992, Line in the Sand; and 1997, Crypto Star).
The fastest time for the race at the previous nine-furlong distance remains the 1:48 2/5 Clev Er Tell posted in 1977. The record for 1 1/16 miles is 1:42.60 set by Crypto Star in 1997. This year the race will again be offered at 1 3/16 miles, the same distance as the Preakness Stakes.
The weather in New Orleans on Saturday is expected to be warm and windy and rain-free with highs in the mid-70s. The feature race has been carded as the 12th and final race of the day with a post time of 5:42 p.m. CT.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
