Kentucky Derby trail 2018: Louisiana Derby odds, analysis

Carded as Race 11 in New Orleans, post time for the Louisiana Derby is 6:21 p.m. ET. Here's a look at the field with morning line odds:

1.) Bravazo, 7-2 (Awesome Again – D. Wayne Lukas/Gary Stevens – 7:3-1-1 – $426,528): Despite beginning the year with a hard-fought allowance score at Oaklawn Park and placing in stakes twice at 2, Bravazo was overlooked in the Risen Star and went off at 21-1. After stalking Snapper Sinclair, he got up to win by a nose. Bravazo will receive a jockey change, as Miguel Mena, who rode him in the Risen Star, is sidelined with a fractured ankle and broken heel. Gary Stevens, who was aboard for the allowance win, returns. Returning Fair Grounds Derby prep winner.

2.) Noble Indy, 7-2 (Take Charge Indy – Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez – 3:2-0-1 – $91,600): Noble Indy received a big test in the Risen Star. Previously undefeated in two starts at Gulfstream Park, he had an inside post position at Fair Grounds, was bumped at the break and had to settle in third on the rail. Once clear he couldn’t kick away with Bravazo and Snapper Sinclair, but a sharper break could help in the Louisiana Derby. Could improve in second stakes start.

3.) Marmello, 50-1 (Concord Point – Mikhail Yanakov/Jack Gilligan – 2:0-0-1 – $6,640): It was only a month ago Marmello made his race debut, finishing third in a turf sprint at Fair Grounds. He then stretched out and switched to dirt, but still only managed fourth. Appears in over his head.

4.) Givemeaminit, 20-1 (Star Guitar – Dallas Stewart/Javier Castellano – 8:1-2-1 – $217,466): Givemeaminit was second in his debut behind Sporting Chance, then finished a close third in the Hopeful (G1) to Sporting Chance again. He continued to run in stakes, including a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), but he didn’t notch his first win until his seventh start in Louisiana-bred maiden company. He next ran eighth in the Risen Star and was never a factor, but picking up jockey Javier Castellano, who rode him in the Breeders’ Cup, could prove helpful. Needs to show big improvement.

5.) Retirement Fund, 12-1 (Eskendereya – Steve Asmussen/Shaun Bridgmohan – 3:2-0-0 – $52,400): Retirement Fund won his first two races impressively at Fair Grounds, but a trip to the Southwest resulted in a flat seventh. There were several first times for the horse – his first time racing outside Fair Grounds, his first time racing on an off track and his first time not on the lead. If he’s able to learn from the experience, he should finish better returning to Fair Grounds. Deserves a second chance here.

6.) Hyndford, 8-1 (Street Cry – Todd Pletcher/Joe Bravo – 3:1-1-0 – $23,880):  Although his lone win came in maiden claiming company, Hyndford followed that effort with a runner-up finish to Magnum Moon, his stablemate entered in the Rebel Stakes (G2). Hyndford took the lead in the Tampa Bay Downs allowance, but Magnum Moon ultimately ran him down and won by two lengths. Experience is a question mark.

7.) Snapper Sinclair, 9-2 (City Zip – Steve Asmussen/Jose Ortiz – 6:2-1-1 – $352,360): The former turf horse seems to have taken to the dirt well this year. He ran a respectable third in the LeComte Stakes (G3) at 28-1, then came back at even higher odds in the Risen Star and only lost to Bravazo by a nose at 41-1. If Snapper Sinclair settles in a comfortable position near the front, he should have something left in the stretch. In the running.

8.) Lone Sailor 20-1 (Majestic Warrior – Tom Amoss/James Graham – 7:1-2-1 – $134,237): Lone Sailor had success at 2, running third in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and losing by a head in the Street Sense Stakes. Following ninth in the LeComte this year, he came back to finish second to Dark Templar in a Fair Grounds allowance. With the recent passing of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, who campaigned the colt with his wife, Gayle, an upset an upset in the Louisiana Derby would be an emotional one. Returns to stakes from confidence booster.

9.) My Boy Jack, 5-2 (Creative Cause – Keith Desormeaux/Kent Desormeaux – 8:2-3-1 – $425,145): After running third to McKinzie in the Sham (G3) following success on the turf, My Boy Jack rallied over a muddy Oaklawn track to win the Southwest. While the other favorites are likely to be on the front end, My Boy Jack has an advantage down the stretch if there’s pressure on the pacesetters. He'll come charging late.

10.) Dark Templar, 12-1 (Tapit – Brendan Walsh/Florent Geroux – 4:2-1-1 – $75,130): A debut winner, Dark Templar moved on to allowance company and ran up against Principe Guilherme and Retirement Fund at Fair Grounds, finishing third and second respectively. Once away from the Steve Asmussen trainees, he picked up his second win in gate-to-wire fashion over late-running Lone Sailor. Stepping up in class.