Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds

The $1,000,000 G2 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds today is set to test the endurance of a strong field of ten at 1 1/8 mi. In post one, Bravazo hopes to repeat his performance in the Risen Star Stakes last month, when he edged out Snapper Sinclair in a tough duel down the stretch. Bravazo will have Gary Stevens riding, while Jose Ortiz will be aboard Snapper Sinclair out of post seven. Jockey, Kent Desormeux, will be returning to his home state to ride My Boy Jack out of post nine, who won the G3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn in impressive fashion by 4 1/2 lengths on Feb. 19. After winning his first two races, Noble Indy had a third place finish in his first stakes race in the Risen Star, behind Snapper Sinclair and Bravazo; he will be looking to build on that effort with John Valezquez in the saddle. The sleeper in the race is Dark Templar, who has shown an affinity for the Fair Grounds track, where he has not finished worse than 3rd there in his last three, while winning his last. Florent Geroux will be riding the son of Tapit, who certainly has the pedigree to go the 1 1/8 mi. The Handicap Wizard is signaling this will be a close race, favoring My Boy Jack slightly over Bravazo, followed by Snapper Sinclair.