Mission Impazible Adds To Pletcher's Prep Tally

Mission Impazible's win in the Louisiana Derby continued one of this year's hottest Derby Prep trends, Todd Pletcher leading horses to the winner's circle. The fact that Pletcher won the Fair Grounds' most prestigious prep race probably didn't surprise many onlookers, but the fact that it was Mission Impazible instead of the highly regarded Discreetly Mine, probably raised a few eyebrows.

The early pace in the Louisiana Derby was set by A Little Warm with constant pressure coming from Discreetly Mine. Wow Wow Wow and Backtrack were also with the early pace before fading quickly around the turn. As the front-running pair hit the stretch, A Little Warm fought off Discreetly Mine's challenge, but had no answer for Mission Impazible who drew to a 3/4 length win in the final sixteenth of a mile under a very patient ride by Rajiv Maragh. After competing for the lead early Maragh allowed Mission Impazible to relax and dropped back to seventh before unleashing an impressive turn of foot down the stretch. A Little Warm held second a neck ahead of Drosselmeyer, it was another neck back to Risen Star winner Discreetly Mine. Stay Put and Ron the Greek gave their usualy late rallies, but were foced to settle for fifth and sixth.

The Program, Mister Marti Gras, Fly Down, Wow Wow Wow, Hotep, Island Soul, and Backtrack rounded out the field.

Mission Impazible covered the 1 1/8 mile distance over a fast track in 1:50.32. The grey colt is by Unbridled's Song out of the stakes winning Hold Your Peace mare La Paz. He was bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Farm.