Despite coronavirus, road to Ky. Derby proceeds. See who’s favored in La. Derby.
While this year’s Kentucky Derby has been postponed until Sept. 5 because of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the chase to earn a spot in the 146th Run for the Roses continues — at least for now. The Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby is scheduled to go off at Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana at 5:49 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
One of the most important prep races on the road to the Kentucky Derby, the Louisiana Derby will award qualifying points to the top four finishers on a 100-40-20-10 scale, all but guaranteeing the winner a trip to Churchill Downs in September. Last year it took an all-time high of 40 qualifying points to earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby.
The Louisiana Derby will be shown live on TVG’s Trackside Live coverage and on the NBC Sports Network. The general public will not be allowed to view the race in person. Like many tracks around the country, Fair Grounds has instituted a no-spectator policy for the remainder of its meet.
Mark Casse-trained Enforceable was the morning-line 7-2 favorite, slightly ahead of 6-1 shots Modernist and Silver State. Enforceable has one win and one place in two starts this year, most recently finishing second behind Mr. Monomoy in the first division of the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes.
Though the Louisiana Derby typically vaults its winner into the Kentucky Derby field, it hasn’t necessarily been an omen for success at Churchill Downs. The last two horses to win both the Louisiana Derby and Kentucky Derby were Grindstone in 1996 and Black Gold in 1924. Funny Cide finished second in the Louisiana Derby and went on to win the Kentucky Derby in 2003. No other Kentucky Derby winner has finished in the top three in the Louisiana Derby.
Other top contenders Saturday are 8-1 shots Major Fed, Wells Bayou and Portos.
Saturday
Louisiana Derby
What: Kentucky Derby prep points race (100-40-20-10)
Where: Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans
When: 5:49 p.m. EDT
TV: NBC Sports Network, TVG
Purse: $1 million (Grade 2)
Distance: 1 3/16 miles
Favorite: Enforceable (7-2)
