Louisiana Derby 2017: Odds and Picks
Tomorrow’s $1 million, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby will either allow horses to prove they belong on the 2017 Kentucky Derby trail, or it will prove other horses more deserving of a chance to step up and claim a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday of May.
For race picks, see Louisiana Derby 2017: Odds and Analysis from Zipse at the Track. Post positions and morning line odds are below as seen on the HRN Stakes Tracker.
Girvin enters tomorrow’s one-and-one-eighth miles test off a two-length win in the Grade 2 Risen Star. When the favorites in the Risen Star didn’t show up, the lightly raced Girvin was there to claim the prize. The Louisiana Derby will only be the fourth start for the Tale of Ekati colt, but with two wins and one second so far, Girvin has given no reason as to why he would not be able to step up once again, and this time, 100 points toward the Kentucky Derby is on the line.
Guest Suite, winner of the Grade 3 LeComte and fourth in the Risen Star, is hoping to once again be the top Derby contender at Fair Grounds. The Quality Road gelding will most likely be making another late run, and the extra distance should help him sustain his rally. Local Hero also returns from the Risen Star, where the well-regarded son of Hard Spun finished third, a neck in front of a closing Guest Suite. While Guest Suite was making his late bid, Local Hero was backing up from the front, where he had gone out on the lead by himself. If he does not run away with the lead in the Louisiana Derby, he may stand a better chance of capturing those coveted points.
Todd Pletcher, who has been entering horses in Kentucky Derby preps left and right, brings two maiden winners into the Louisiana Derby. The first is Patch, by Union Rags, with two impressive races to his name. Patch rallied in his debut to finish second by a neck, and battled out the win in a 14 horse field his second time out. His stablemate, Monaco, was a $1.3 million two-year-old purchase. The Uncle Mo colt enters off a 12-length win. Monaco first made his debut at Saratoga back in August. The same race also featured Grade 3 Sunland Derby winner, Hence, and Mo Town, who won the Grade 2 Remsen as a two-year-old.
By Christine Oser