Stevens regains the mount on Bravazo for Louisiana Derby

It was a race day change last time out on the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail when Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens elected to remain at Oaklawn Park rather than commute to Fair Grounds for the Grade 2 Risen Star.

Miguel Mena picked up the mount and guided Bravazo to a front-running victory that all but locked up the colt's spot in the Derby. But with Mena suffering a broken ankle Thursday in a spill at Fair Grounds, the job opened again.

D. Wayne Lukas went back to Stevens, it was announced ahead of Saturday's post position draw, for next weekend's Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby.

With 54 qualifying points, Bravazo sits third on the Derby leader board behind only Bolt d'Oro (64) and Enticed (63). Campaigned by Calumet Farm, the son of Awesome Again has put in two solid races to open his 3-year-old season, with an allowance score starting it off back in January. The companion race on that card ran nearly two seconds slower, an indication Bravazo was one to watch in the Risen Star.

With Stevens in the irons, Bravazo will take on Snapper Sinclair, who he beat by a nose, as well as third-place Risen Star runner Noble Indy. Southwest Stakes (G3) winner My Boy Jack will also ship in to New Orleans for a final prep that awards points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the Top 4 finishers.