Kentucky Derby prep: Louisiana Derby contenders' speed figures
Saturday's Grade 2, 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby offers the longest distance test on the Kentucky Derby trail. Stamina-rich contenders will vie for the 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top 5 finishers. The winner and runner-up are practically guaranteed spots in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby on May 3.
The Louisiana Derby has produced two Kentucky Derby winners in its long history, Black Gold in 1924 and Grindstone in 1996. More recently, Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter finished second behind Rich Strike in 2022, hall of famer Gun Runner ran third in 2016 and last year's winner, Catching Freedom, was fourth in the Kentucky Derby.
This year, 10 colts are entered to run in the Louisiana Derby, headlined by Sam F. Davis winner John Hancock. Brad Cox re-routed this unbeaten son of Constitution from the Tampa Bay Derby to Fair Grounds for his third lifetime start. John Hancock holds the top TimeformUS speed figure, a 115, and the best Brisnet figure at 97.
Sunland Derby runner-up Caldera holds the top HRN Speed figure with a 129, which the D. Wayne Lukas trainee earned for his defeat by a head to Getaway Car.
Three colts share the highest Beyer speed fig of 92: Risen Star runner-up Chunk of Gold, Risen Star third-place finisher Built and Fair Grounds allowance winner Instant Replay.
Here are the top lifetime speed figures for the Louisiana Derby entrants.
| Post | Horse | Beyer | TimeformUS | Brisnet | HRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Hancock | 85 | 115 | 97 | 113 |
| 2 | Chunk of Gold | 92 | 108 | 94 | 113 |
| 3 | Tiztastic | 89 | 110 | 90 | 110 |
| 4 | Yinzer | 85 | 110 | 87 | 105 |
| 5 | Caldera | 91 | 111 | 96 | 129 |
| 6 | Built | 92 | 111 | 94 | 123 |
| 7 | Vassimo | 89 | 106 | 91 | 109 |
| 8 | Furio | 84 | 110 | 88 | 116 |
| 9 | Instant Replay | 92 | 111 | 93 | 117 |
| 10 | Hypnus | 85 | 107 | 92 | 115 |
Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are presented courtesy of Daily Racing Form.