Horse racing news and analysis from Saratoga, Santa Anita and the 2023 Breeders' Cup.

Louisiana Derby 2024 Entries: Odds, Analysis, Free PPs

Gunrunner: Sire of Louisiana Derby 2024 Contender Hall of Fame Photo: Keith Luke via Unsplash

Louisiana Derby 2024 entries are set and post positions have been drawn for the fourth and final Kentucky Derby prep race to be run at Fair Grounds on Saturday. A full field of 12 three-year-old colts is set to compete in this $1 million, Grade 2 race, which serves as a crucial steppingstone on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The top five finishers in the Louisiana Derby will vie for as many as 200 valuable qualifying points toward a secure spot in the starting gate on Saturday, May 4, in the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

At 1 3/16 miles, a 1/16 miles less than the distance of the Kentucky Derby is a fitting proving ground for testing the mettle of these three-year-olds with an eye on the ultimate prize in Louisville.

Louisiana Derby 2024 Entries in Post Position Order

1. Triple Espresso (20-1)

  • Sire: Omaha Beach, known for speed and versatility
  • Dam: Natural Rush, an Indian Charlie mare.
  • Jockey: Luis Saez
  • Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
  • Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC.
  • Key Points:
    • Triple Espresso has exclusively raced on turf in his career so far.
    • His debut was in the Kittens Joy Stakes at Colonial Downs, where he closed boldly to finish second.
    • In his fourth start, he secured a maiden special weight victory at Gulfstream Park in January, showcasing a wide late rally.
    • Now, he faces a significant challenge as he transitions from turf to dirt for the first time in the Louisiana Derby.
  • Morning Line Odds: Priced at 20-1 on the morning line, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his dirt performance.
  • Cross-Entry: Note that he is also cross-entered in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), adding an intriguing twist to his race-day decision. Linked Source: BloodHorse

2. Hall of Fame (8-1)

  • Sire: Gun Runner, a former Horse of the Year
  • Dam: Maiden Hall
  • Jockey: Ricardo Santana
  • Trainer: Steve Asmussen
  • Owners: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC.
  • Key Points:
    • Hall of Fame broke his maiden in impressive fashion, winning by a commanding margin at Fair Grounds.
    • His pedigree combines speed and stamina, making him an intriguing prospect.
    • As a son of Gun Runner, Hall of Fame inherits the brilliance and tenacity that characterized his sire’s racing career.
  • Post Position: Drew a favorable post position
  • Competition: Faces a competitive field, including stablemate Track Phantom

3. Antiquarian (12-1)

  • Sire: Preservationist, a stallion known for producing versatile and talented runners.
  • Dam: Lifetime Memory, an Istan mare.
  • Jockey: John Velazquez
  • Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
  • Owners: Centennial Farms.
  • Key Points:
    • Won a maiden race at Fair Grounds on Risen Star Day, February 17, grinding out a one-length victory in just his second career start.
    • His debut at Gulfstream resulted in a second-place finish, beaten by a half-length by Conquest Warrior.
    • Pedigree combines speed and stamina, making him an intriguing prospect.
  • Morning Line Odds: Antiquarian is priced at 12-1 on the morning line.

4. Agate Road (8-1)

  • Sire: Quality Road
  • Dam: Yellow Agate, an Indian Charlie mare.
  • Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
  • Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
  • Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC.
  • Key Points:
    • Raced primarily on turf last year
    • Won the Pilgrim Stakes (G2T) at Aqueduct Racetrack on October 4, showcasing his turf prowess.
    • In his final start of 2023, he finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.
    • As a three-year-old, he transitioned to dirt, finishing second in the Dania Beach Stakes on turf at Gulfstream and second again on dirt in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs behind No More Time.
  • Morning Line Odds: Agate Road is priced at 8-1 on the morning line.

5. Catching Freedom (4-1)

  • Sire: Constitution
  • Dam: Catch My Drift, a mare sired by Pioneerof the Nile.
  • Jockey: Flavien Prat
  • Trainer: The capable Brad H. Cox
  • Owners: Albaugh Family Stables LLC.
  • Key Points:
    • In the 2024 Risen Star Stakes (G2), he finished third, narrowly beaten by Sierra Leone and Track Phantom.
    • His form suggests that another top-three finish is well within reach.
    • Won the 2024 Smarty Jones Stakes (LS) at Oaklawn Park, demonstrating his ability on the dirt track.
    • His pedigree combines speed and stamina, making him an intriguing prospect.
  • Morning Line Odds: Catching Freedom is priced at 4-1 on the morning line.

6. Awesome Ruta (30-1)

  • Sire: Mendelssohn
  • Dam: Awesome Prayer, an Awesome Again mare.
  • Jockey: Mitchell Murrill
  • Trainer: Joseph M. Foster
  • Owners: Tri-Star Racing, LLC and Cimarron TTT Farms LLC.
  • Key Points:
    • His debut was impressive, winning a race by more than 10 lengths at Fair Grounds.
    • He followed up with a sixth-place finish in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), where he exceeded expectations.
    • His pedigree combines speed and stamina, making him an intriguing prospect.
  • Morning Line Odds: Awesome Ruta is priced at 30-1 on the morning line.

7. Honor Marie (8-1)

  • Sire: Honor Code
  • Dam: Puca, a mare sired by Big Brown.
  • Jockey: Ben Curtis
  • Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
  • Owners: West Paces RacingR. A. Hill StableBelmar Racing and BreedingTwo Eight Racing, and Pine Racing Stables.
  • Key Points:
    • Honor Marie’s sire, Honor Code, was primarily a miler during his racing career, but his progeny have demonstrated versatility.
    • His grandsire, A.P. Indy, won the Belmont Stakes, leaving a lasting legacy in classic races.
    • Honor Marie’s form includes a victory in the 2023 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
  • Kentucky Derby Points: 15 points

8. Next Level (30-1)

  • Sire: Vino Rosso
  • Dam: Awesome Prayer, an Awesome Again mare.
  • Jockey: Jose Riquelme
  • Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
  • Owners: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables.
  • Key Points:
    • Has shown flashes of talent since last summer, but he’s 0-for-3 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, finishing seventh in the American Pharoah (G1), seventh in the Gun Runner S., and eighth in the Rebel (G2).
    • He’ll need better to challenge in the Louisiana Derby.

9. Real Men Violin (20-1)

  • Sire: Mendelssohn
  • Dam: Meg Fitz, a mare sired by Tapit.
  • Jockey: Corey Lanerie
  • Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
  • Owners: Tilted Shamrock Stables.
  • Breeding Background:
    • Real Men Violin has consistently performed well, finishing in the top three in his first five starts.
    • Notably, two of these starts were on turf, showcasing his versatility.
    • His maiden victory came at Churchill Downs on a sloppy track, where he prevailed by a half-length.
    • The Louisiana Derby distance of 1 3/16 miles is new to all contenders, including Real Men Violin.
  • Morning Line Odds: Real Men Violin is priced at 20-1 on the morning line.
  • Recent Works:
    • Real Men Violin clocked an impressive 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 during a workout at Fair Grounds on March 9.

10. Common Defense (6-1)

  • Sire: Karakontie, a French-bred son of Bernstein. While Karakontie himself may not be a typical Triple Crown influence, his offspring have shown promise over both turf and dirt.
  • Dam: Allusion, a mare sired by Street Cry.
  • Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
  • Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
  • Owners: Tony HolmesNorevale Farm, and Union Dale.
  • Key Points:
    • Common Defense broke his maiden in his second start in January, winning a mile race at Oaklawn Park with first-time Lasix.
    • He followed up with a second-place finish in the Rebel Stakes (G2) and earned valuable Derby points.
    • His pedigree combines European flair (via Karakontie) with American influence (via Street Cry).
  • Morning Line Odds: Common Defense is priced at 6-1 on the morning line.

11. Tuscan Gold

12. Track Phantom (3-1)

  • Sire: Quality Road
  • Dam: Natural Rush, an Indian Charlie mare.
  • Jockey: Joel Rosario
  • Trainer: Steve Asmussen
  • Owners: L and N RacingClark BrewsterJerry Caroom, and Breeze Easy.
  • Key Points:
    • Track Phantom has primarily raced on dirt, showcasing his prowess in two-turn races.
    • Notably, he secured dominant victories in both the Gun Runner Stakes and the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds earlier in the season.
    • In the recent Risen Star Stakes (G2), he led comfortably through slow fractions but was narrowly passed in the final stages, finishing a half-length behind the winner, Sierra Leone.
    • Despite the Risen Star setback, Track Phantom’s overall form remains impressive.
  • Kentucky Derby Points: With 55 points earned toward the Kentucky Derby, Track Phantom currently ranks tied for fourth on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard.
  • Post Position: Drawing the far outside post, Track Phantom enters the race as the 3-1 morning line favorite.
  • Competition: Among his top competitors is stablemate Hall of Fame, a Gun Runner colt who dazzled in his maiden-breaking victory but faltered in the Risen Star.

Recent Winners

 Recent winners of the Louisiana Derby and their subsequent impact in the Triple Crown races:

  1. Mandaloun (2021):
    • Mandaloun won the 2021 Louisiana Derby.
    • He went on to finish second in the Kentucky Derby, narrowly missing victory behind Medina Spirit.
    • His strong performance in the Derby showcased his talent and competitiveness.
  2. Country House (2019):
    • Country House won the 2019 Louisiana Derby.
    • In a dramatic turn of events, he was declared the winner of the Kentucky Derby after Maximum Security was disqualified.
    • Country House’s victory remains memorable due to the unprecedented disqualification.
  3. Epicenter (2022):
    • Epicenter won the 2022 Louisiana Derby.
    • He later triumphed in the prestigious Travers Stakes (G1).
    • Although he didn’t win the Triple Crown races, his success in the Travers highlighted his class and ability.

Post time for the Louisiana Derby is 6:42 p.m. EDT on Saturday, and will culminate a stakes rich 12-race card. Free PPs for the Louisiana Derby 2024. See Todd Pletcher.