Lost in the crush of the Breeders’ Cup frenzy was my final notes on the Louisiana Downs meet, which concluded on Oct 4th. Below is a belated wrap of the LAD season in words and pictures. Click on the name of each horse to view stakes replays.
Here are the horses that I voted for in the LAD meet champion categories…
Two Year Old: William’s Kitten – On the Super Derby undercard, the Michael Maker runner competed in the off the turf Sunday Silence Stakes. He was sitting at the back of the pack and unleashed an eye catching …read more

September 20th Louisiana Downs Recap
Fast track and off the turf. Main started out fair and favored speed as the day wore on.
The Difference (8th race) was my original top for turf, but I downgraded him to my 3rd choice when the race was transferred to the main. He rallied to miss 2nd by a neck, and look for him to return to the sod next time.
I was hot all week long on the analysis front, and I escaped a post Super Derby bounce with three more tops getting the job done on Sunday, including best bet Jami Baby …read more

An enthusiastic crowd and a fine 13-race card made for an exciting Super Derby day this year. Below is a recap of the day in words and pictures…enjoy!
With an early post time of 12pm, my daily handicapping seminar was moved up an hour. I was joined by Louisiana Downs track announcer Travis Stone and special guests Nick Tammaro and Pat Cummings. The seminar was very informative, and the latter duo chipped in with interviews throughout the day…great job guys!
On the analysis front, I got four tops home, and my analyzed contenders were firing all …read more

Regal Ransom lived up to his top billing with an easy wire job tally in the 30th running of the Grade 2 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on September 19th.
Under a heady ride by Richard Migliore, the Godolphin runner strolled through fractions of :24.05, :49.03, and 1:13.11. He got a mile in 1:36.95 and had plenty left in reserve to hold off the hard charging Blame in 1:49.63. The race was won between the quarter and the half when he was able to get away with two hidden furlongs in almost 25 seconds. Good horses …read more

September 18th Louisiana Downs Recap
Sloppy track and off the turf once again. Main track played fair.
Hat trick for leading rider Don Simington.
Kept the analysis hot streak going with four winning top choices including best bet Izzy Golden ($7.80). Note that daily late Pick 4 play will resume on Saturday with $100k guaranteed pool. We did not have time to work up the graphics, etc. with all of the Super Derby preparations on Thursday and Friday.
September 19th Preview
Weather: Isolated Thunderstorms (30% chance). High 79.
Saturday’s 13-race card includes six stakes races and includes the Grade 2 $750k Super Derby.
Unbridled Handicap: Mogumbo Cat goes for his 5th …read more

September 17th Louisiana Downs Recap
Wet track and off the turf again as the damp weather persists. The two seven furlong winners went last to first. Edge to early/pressing types in the other races.
A pair of wins for Richard Eramia and ‘Cisco Torres.
Based on the way extended sprints played, my best bet Appealingtome ran well in the 4th. She set the pace and just held the show. I thought she was a bit suspect in the stamina department, and the track profile did not help her cause. Next time at a shorter distance.
Three value tops home including Miss Alice Nell ($17.20), …read more

September 13th Louisiana Downs Recap
Wet track and off the turf again. Early/pressing types dominated.
Richard Eramia, Don Simington, and ‘Cisco Torres each booted home a pair. Jerry Cart saddled two winners on the day.
Lucky Lou rallied from off the pace to finish a clear 2nd in the 6th race. He ran a winning race against the bias but could not reel in wire job winner Smokin’ Spirit. Royal Twine finished an even 3rd and is better on turf.
Big rebound day on the analysis front. Four tops got the job done and paid $8.60, $22.80, $13.20, and $4. The first …read more

A field of seven has been drawn for the 30th running of the $750k Grade 2 Super Derby, to be run at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, September 19th.
Soul Warrior, who scratched out of the Pennsylvania Derby on Labor Day because of a temperature, has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite. The Steve Asmussen trainee has been part of the exacta in three straight and defeated Ky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby last time.
UAE Derby winner Regal Ransom is probably the one to catch. Godolphin trainee is working well for his …read more

A field of seven or eight looks probable for the $750k Grade 2 Super Derby, to be run at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, September 19th. The post positions will be drawn tomorrow at the Super Derby press conference, and I will be on hand for the festivities.
Soul Warrior, who scratched out of the Penn Derby on Labor Day because of a temperature, has recovered and is the likely Super Derby favorite. The Steve Asmussen trainee was last seen downing Ky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby. John Velazquez has the …read more

It is looking increasingly unlikely that we will get Mine That Bird and Summer Bird for the 30th Super Derby (G2), to be run at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, September 19th.
The former was forced to miss the Travers following minor throat surgery, and the latter will probably shoot for the Jockey Club Gold Cup after a sharp win in the Travers (G1).
We have about seven or eight seriously looking at our event, and that list begins with the Super Derby Prelude top three Uno Mas, Electric Alphabet, and Red Lead.
Uno Mas, trained by Steve Asmussen, rallied from off …read more