Louisiana Derby Results 2019
Event: Louisiana Derby-G2, Fair Grounds
When: Race 13, Saturday, March 23, 2019
Age:3-Year-Olds
Distance: 1 1 1/8-miles
Surface: Dirt. Purse: $1 Million
Louisiana Derby History. Founded in 1894, the Louisiana Derby is the culmination of the Fair Grounds series of three Kentucky Derby prep races. But with $1 million at stake, it’s a fine prize in its own right. Once held eight weeks before the Kentucky Derby, it’s now held six weeks prior, possibly giving it more relevance to the Derby picture. Date Race Name Gr. Course Track Distance Purse;: Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby: 2: Dirt: Fair Grounds: 1 3/16 Miles: $1,000,000:: Twinspires.
2019 Louisiana Derby Picks
- Country House
- War of Will
- Sueno
- Spinoff – Wild Card
- 2018-2019 317 15% 42% -0.40 Shipper 144 13% 42% -0.32 Ultimate PP's w/ QuickPlay Comments Fair Grounds LaDerby-G21„ Mile 3yo Saturday, March 23, 2019 Race 13 E1 E2 / Late SPD.
- Road to the Kentucky Derby. Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, March 20, 2021. 100–40–20–10 points available. The 2021 Kentucky Derby is the 147th renewal of The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports. Live odds, betting, horse bios, travel info, tickets, news, and updates from Churchill Downs Race Track.
Louisiana Derby Analysis
The 2019 Louisiana Derby-G2 is a trip handicapper’s delight and a nightmare at the same time. We’ve got a combination of improving horses, others that had trouble in their most recent starts, and some that are just getting race fit.
War of Will is the logical choice for a number of reasons, but we get the feeling this race will be tougher than his last two, and he will also be an underlay.
The likely even-money favorite in this year’s Louisiana Derby is big and strong, he rates nicely, and he looks like he’ll go 1 1/8-miles. The fifth-place finisher in last year Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf-G1 also has the home court advantage. Both of his starts this year have been at Fair Grounds, and he’s won both of them, the LeComte Stakes-G3 and the Risen Star Stakes-G3.
War of Will is the only horse in the field to have broken 90 on the Beyer Speed Figure scale, which he did with a 94 in the LeComte and a 92 in the Risen Star, and he’s likely going to make his own trip again from just off the pace. But this race is longer, and a number of horses with similar tactical speed are expected to improve. One of them could take some sting out of him turning for home.
Country House took a good but green run at War of Will in the Risen Star Stakes, lugging in through the stretch before finishing second beaten 2 ¼-lengths. He’ll be getting a new bit but for the Louisiana Derby and he received both an education and a fitness boost from the Risen Star. He makes his third start off the layoff for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, and his 9/2 morning-line odds make him very enticing.
Limonite made his first start off a three-month layoff in the Risen Star and didn’t get the best of trips before finishing fifth, beaten 7 ¼-lengths. He had to wait inside through the final turn behind horses, and it didn’t get a whole lot better for him in early stretch, but when he did get clear, he at least made an effort while tiring. He should improve with a better trip as he makes his second start off the layoff.
Mr. Money made his first start since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile-G1 in the Risen Star Stakes and was well placed inside to the stretch before coming up short. He had some run in him into the turn and a little left for the drive, but he was forced to check while tiring as the top pair left the field. It wasn’t the check that stopped him from finishing in the money. He didn’t look anywhere close to being fit enough for the Risen Star. He should improve in his second start off the layoff. How much is the question?
Roiland took himself to the back of the pack in the Risen Star, as he always does, and he was at least 15 lengths behind the field running by himself in fairyland at one point. He ended up making a decent late run to finish third, and he’ll likely appreciate the 1 1/8-miles of the Louisiana Derby, but he’s another that’s impossible to figure out. Did he pass tired horses in the Risen Star and/or is he just starting to get his act together. Has to be included underneath in your superfectas, as he’ll probably come up with another late rally, but there are a lot of others in here expected to run better than they did in their last.
Hog Creek Hustle was taken back early in the Risen Star and made a wide move outside Country House before flattening out in the stretch. Now he has to go further. There are probably better spots to run him in, and he would need a complete pace meltdown in here to win. There’s a slight chance he could make it into the bottom rungs of the superfecta with a perfectly timed rally, but that’s as far as we’ll go with him.
Sueno was full of run throughout in his last, the Southwest Stakes-G3, and stalked a bid battle from between horses before making a good late run to finish second behind freak 62-1 winner Super Steed. He had to wait briefly behind horses in the Southwest, but that didn’t cost him the victory. The third-place finisher in the Southwest Stakes, Long Range Toddy, actually had to wait longer than his rival for room in early stretch. Still, Long Range Toddy made Sueno look good when he came back to win the Rebel Stakes in his next start with a nice inside trip. Sueno looks like a “tryer”, we just don’t know how good he is.
Bankit was carried wide on the first turn in the Southwest Stakes, shifted inside on the backstretch, advanced into the final turn and then shifted out to rally, but finished evenly. The trouble he had on the first turn in the Southwest doesn’t make him good enough to win this race, but we’ll probably put him in the bottom rung of our superfectas due to the presence of top rider Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle. If there’s an all-out battle on the final turn, which could happen, Ortiz might get just enough run out of this guy late to make it into the superfecta.
Leminscate just broke his maiden on the turf going 1 1/16-miles at Gulfstream Park and looks like a pace presence that is being thrown to the wolves here instead of running in an N1X allowance race. He has speed, but he’s moving way up in class for this race, and he should have company up front.
By My Standards is another that just broke his maiden, but he did it at the Fair Grounds going 1 1/16-miles and won by 4 1/4-lengths. He rated reasonably well on the outside before making his move in that race, but this time there will be numerous horses either going with him or running away from him. His Beyer Speed Figures seem to be stalled in the high 70s, and that’s not good enough for these, even with improvement.
Spinoff is another speeder, but this one comes from the Todd Pletcher barn and gets the services of Hall of Famer John Velazquez. He broke his maiden impressively going a mile and 40 yards in his third-lifetime start, winning by 11 ¾-lengths off a six-month layoff at 60 cents on the dollar, but that was at Tampa Bay Downs, and he was so much better than the horses he faced it was laughable.
Spinoff finished third beaten 2 3/4-lengths in the 4-horse Saratoga Special-G2 last year, so he has some speed and quality to him, but he sure has some significant gaps in his form. Make a small Win-Place-Show wager on him and include him in your exotic bets, just in case. Every once in a while these connections put one over on us. What happens if Johhny V decides to send early and Spinoff gives the field the slip? His sire, Hard Spun was a fierce competitor, and his pedigree certainly has enough stamina in it. Wild Card.
The race sets up with either Leminscate and Spinoff on the early lead while War of Will rates and presses from the outside. War of Will could probably open up early on these if he wanted to, but why change a pressing style that works.
Sueno is another that could make the lead in here, but he’ll likely take up a pressing roll along with War of Will. Mr. Money and By My Standards should be just behind the first flight, followed by a hopefully more educated Country House. Bankit and Hog Creek Hustle will be further back, and Roiland will likely take up his usual position at the back of the pack.
When the field enters the final turn, and the running starts we expect Leminscate to wilt and War of Will, Sueno and Mr. Money to take on Spinoff. By My Standards likely won’t be able to make much of a bid when this bunch starts running, and when the smoke clears turning for home, we expect War of Will and Sueno to be going at it. At this point, Country House should be in a perfect spot to take advantage of the stretch duel and rally to take over very late. Limonite, Hog Creek Hustle, Roiland, and Bankit should then rally to pass tired horses.
Trying to predict how a race will set up before it happens is like calling the flight path of golf shot before you make it. Sometimes it works perfectly, other times not so well. But when it does work, it feels like…
Country House to win and place.
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In-Season Tracks
Gulfstream Picks
War of Will takes aim on a Fair Grounds triple when leading a talented field of 11 in Saturday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) . The Mark Casse trainee was victorious in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and Risen Star Stakes (G2), and aims for a third successive score in the Road to the Kentucky Derby points event. War of Will is currently atop the leaderboard with 60 points.
Here is a look at the field:
Roiland Career Racing Stats
6 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $119,660
Top BRIS Speed rating (91) for third in Risen Star Stakes (G2)
Owner: James and Mary Durlacher
Breeder: James and Mary Durlacher (KY)
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Jockey: James Graham
Sire: Successful Appeal
Dam: Anabranch
Color: Bay
This colt rallied from last to finish a clear third in the Risen Star in a second start with blinkers on. The late runner gets a cozy rail post in this spot and will be making one run in the lane on this occasion. Improvement could see the Kentucky-bred make the frame late.
Lemniscate Career Racing Stats
3 Starts
1 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $41,450
Top BRIS Speed rating (94) in maiden score
Owner: Susan Moulton, David A. Bernsen and Magdalena Racing
Breeder: Milan Kosanovich (FL)
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Sire: Exchange Rate
Dam: Meet at Lola’s
Color: Gray/Roan
This recent maiden winner made good in his first route attempt with a front-running tally on the Gulfstream Park turf. The Florida-bred colt makes a huge class rise to the graded ranks in a strong field. The speedy sort should factor for the early lead in his local and stakes bow.
Limonite Career Racing Stats
5 Starts
1 Wins
1 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $92,300
Top BRIS Speed rating (92) for third in Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2)
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton
Breeder: Roberto Mesquita (KY)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Sire: Lemon Drop Kid
Dam: Colina Verde
Color: Bay
This sneaky contender made up some ground in the Risen Star late and figures to be fitter second time off the shelf in here. The gray colt has trained well in the interim and he receives a fine jockey upgrade to Jose Ortiz for this assignment.
Sueno Career Racing Stats
5 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $190,440
Top BRIS Speed rating (93) in Southwest Stakes (G3) second
Owner: Silverton Hill LLC
Breeder: Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Sire: Atreides
Dam: Class Above
Color: Dark Bay
The former claimer was a closing second in both the Sham Stakes (G3) and Southwest Stakes (G3) in preparation of his first run at Fair Grounds. The dark bay colt is improving, but he will need another forward move to challenge for the top prize in this field.
By My Standards Career Racing Stats
4 Starts
1 Wins
2 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $53,710
Top BRIS Speed rating (90) in maiden victory
Owner: Allied Racing Stable LLC
Breeder: Don Ladd (KY)
Trainer: Bret Calhoun
Jockey: Gabriel Saez
Sire: Goldencents
Dam: A Jealous Woman
Color: Bay
This $150,000 juvenile purchase graduated in style over a big field on this surface most recently. The consistent Kentucky-bred has a useful turn of foot and has trained in swift fashion in preparation of his stakes debut. He could be a top-four contender with another move in the right direction.
War of Will Career Racing Stats
7 Starts
3 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $491,569
Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Risen Star Stakes (G2) triumph
Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: Flaxman Holdings Limited (KY)
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Sire: War Front
Dam: Visions of Clarity
Color: Bay
The clear one to beat, this bay has never been defeated from three lifetime tries on dirt, which includes a pair of graded wins on this main oval. The classy colt draws in the middle of the pack and will be pressing the pace from the outset once again. He looks formidable in a field without a lot of early presence.
Mr. Money Career Racing Stats
5 Starts
1 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $154,400
Louisiana Derby Results 2020
Top BRIS Speed rating (92) in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) fourth
Owner: Allied Racing Stable LLC
Breeder: Spruce Lane Farm (KY)
Trainer: Bret Calhoun
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Sire: Goldencents
Dam: Plenty O’Toole
Color: Bay
This talented sophomore made a nice middle move in the Risen Star before tiring late in a race he needed off the layoff. The Kentucky-bred could be forwardly placed in this run at a big price.
Country House Career Racing Stats
4 Starts
1 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $120,175
Top BRIS Speed rating (93) for second in Risen Star Stakes (G2)
Owner: Mrs. J.V. Shields Jr., E.J.M. McFadden Jr. and LNJ Foxwoods
Breeder: J.V. Shields Jr. (KY)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Luis Saez
Sire: Lookin At Lucky
Dam: Quake Lake
Color: Chestnut
This colt made a fine stakes debut in the Risen Star when rallying from well back to be a sharp runner-up. The Bill Mott trainee has improved his BRIS Speed number in every start, and he almost surely will appreciate the additional ground in the Louisiana Derby.
Bankit Career Racing Stats
8 Starts
2 Wins
3 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $345,625
Top BRIS Speed rating (98) in maiden tally
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton
Breeder: Hidden Brook Farm LLC and Blue Devil Racing (NY)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Sire: Central Banker
Dam: Sister in Arms
Color: Bay
This Steve Asmussen pupil failed to impact both the Smarty Jones Stakes and Southwest Stakes (G3) in anticipation of this event. The Empire State-bred will need an immediate form reversal to challenge the top runners in the field.
Spinoff Career Racing Stats
3 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $60,000
Top BRIS Speed rating (93) in allowance score
Owner: Wertheimer et Frere
Breeder: Wertheimer et Frere (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Zaftig
Color: Chestnut
A wildcard in this cast, the chestnut toyed with allowance foes at Tampa Bay Downs in his seasonal debut, drawing clear by 11 lengths with ease. The Kentucky-bred sizzled a bullet five furlongs last weekend, and he could be almost any kind of prospect while making his second run since the summer. Jockey John Velazquez coming to ride is a huge positive, as well.
Hog Creek Hustle Career Racing Stats
6 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $137,300
Top BRIS Speed rating (93) in allowance win
Florida Derby Results
Owner: Something Special Racing LLC
Breeder: Hargus & Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Vickie Foley
Jockey: Miguel Mena
Louisiana Derby Results 2019 Results
Sire: Overanalyze
Dam: Candy Fortune
Color: Dark Bay
This steady late-runner gets a tough draw widest of all and will also have to answer the nine-furlong question for the initial time. The talented colt is consistent but he must vault forward to have a say in the outcome here.