Kentucky Derby 2025 trail: Draw & odds for Louisiana Derby
John Hancock, the undefeated colt who was scratched from Saturday’s $500,000 Virginia Derby, drew post 1 in a field of 10 and was made the 7-2 morning-line favorite for next weekend’s Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, a top-level prep for Kentucky Derby 2025.
Trainer Brad Cox said early this week he would redirect the 2-for-2 son of Constitution to Fair Grounds for the 1 3/16-mile race next Saturday that is worth 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points. That means the winner gets an automatic berth in the Kentucky Derby, and the second-place finisher is virtually assured of joining him.
Owned by WinStar Farm and CHC, John Hancock most recently won by a half-length in the Sam F. Davis on Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay. He led from gate to wire in the 1 1/16-mile race and held on for a half-length victory. Flavien Prat keeps the ride.
Cox also entered Instant Replay (6-1), a homebred for Gary and Mary West. The son of Maximum Security kicked off his sophomore campaign in style, scoring his second two-turn race in a local mid-February first-level allowance. On a fast main track that had been favoring forward runs, Instant Replay came from last to blow past loose leader Furio at the furlong pole and draw away with little urging to win by 5 lengths. Back aboard for the Louisiana Derby, jockey Florent Geroux will guide Instant Replay from post 9.
Built (9-2), a two-time winner who will be in his fourth Kentucky Derby prep at Fair Grounds, drew post 6 and was made the second choice in the program. Trained by Wayne Catalano, he followed a victory in the Gun Runner with a second in the Lecomte (G3) and a distant third in the Risen Star (G2). Jockey José Ortiz gets the ride for the first time.
Finishing ahead of Built in the Risen Star, Chunk of Gold (8-1) will return to Fair Grounds looking to add to the 25 points he earned running second in that event. Trained by Ethan West for owner Terry Stephens, the Preservationist colt followed up his debut win at Turfway Park with a second in the Leonatus. Jareth Loveberry retains the mount.
Also exiting the Risen Star is Vassimo. The Todd Pletcher trainee, owned by Team Penney Racing will return to Fair Grounds with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle after the team produced a valiant late effort to run fourth in Vassimo’s first stakes try.
Caldera (5-1), a close second in the Sunland Derby on Feb. 16, got post 5 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas and jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
The Louisiana Derby will be the 12th race on next Saturday’s card that also includes three other Grade 2 races, including the Fair Grounds Oaks, the Muniz Memorial presented by Horse Racing Nation and the New Orleans Classic. The feature is scheduled for 6:42 p.m. EDT.