Louisiana Downs: Super Derby returns Saturday with 7-horse field

Photo: Louisiana Downs / Coady Photography

The highlight of the 61-day Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs will take place Saturday with the return of the Super Derby, one of the most prestigious races in the racetrack’s history.

The eight-race program gets underway at 3:05 p.m. EDT with the $200,000 Super Derby to be contested at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, run as race 7 with an approximate post time of 5:53 p.m.

Louisiana Downs is under its second year of operation under president and owner Kevin Preston and from the beginning, one of many priorities set by Preston was bringing back the track’s marquee race, the Super Derby. Inaugurated in 1980, the annual event attracted the top owners, trainers and jockeys in North America. Belmont Stakes winner Temperence Hill won the first edition of the Super Derby. Three Super Derby winners, Tiznow, Sunday Silence and Alysheba, were honored with Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year, the industry's highest award.

“The Super Derby has been a very important goal for owner Kevin Preston,” said Matt Crawford, Louisiana Downs racing secretary. “He has made many notable improvements to both the racetrack and casino. We are all looking forward to an exciting Super Derby 41 with plenty of events sure to entertain fans of all ages.”

Louisiana Downs ran several editions of the Super Derby, beginning in 2017 with Mr Misunderstood winning on the turf for trainer Brad Cox. Reverted to the main track, the next year, Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen won the next two editions with Limation in 2018 and Rotation in 2019.

In pursuit of his third Super Derby victory, Asmussen will send in How Did He Do That for owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison.

The top earner in the field, the son of Good Magic will make his 13th career start on Saturday. Sold as a yearling for $190,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton fall yearling sale, he broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in September. He won his first stakes in New Mexico in the Zia Park Juvenile Stakes before embarking on a busy Derby season. His standout victory came on July 8 at Prairie Meadows, where he was sent off at 48-1 in the $225,000 Iowa Derby, finishing in a dead heat for the win with One in Vermillion. After a lengthy steward’s inquiry, One in Vermillion was disqualified for interference and placed second. How Did He Do That rewarded his supporters with a win payout of $98.

Joel Dominguez, currently tied for the leading rider title at Louisiana Downs, has the call and will break from post 5 aboard the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

The second choice on the morning line is No. 6 Promise Me A Ride at 7-2. He will make his stakes debut for trainer Brad Cox. The colt by Mastery won his debut on March 19 at Fair Grounds and made his second trip to the winner’s circle on Aug. 4 at Ellis Park. One of the top Louisiana-based riders, Tim Thorton, has the call.