Tipsheet: 2026 Louisiana Derby

A well-balanced group of nine three-year-old prospects will travel 1 3/16 miles over the Fair Grounds main oval in Saturday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. 

Louisiana Derby Picks

• #5 Golden Tempo
• #3 Chip Honcho
• #9 Emerging Market
• #7 Blacksmith

Louisiana Derby Wagers

• $15 win and place #5 Golden Tempo
• $4 exacta key box 5 with 3,7,9

Louisiana Derby Contenders

#1 PAVLOVIAN: Sunland Derby victor ran his best race to date last time out and will be a contender with another step forward on this occasion. The California-bred son of Pavel was close to the pace most recently and figures to be involved from the break in this tilt from the rail with Edwin Maldonado coming in for the ride. 

#2 AUTOBAHN: Brad Cox trainee was a nice maiden winner in his third lifetime run and first at two turns at Gulfstream Park in advance of this contest. The dark bay son of Nyquist will likely appreciate the added ground in his local debut, but the colt has to get faster to challenge for the upset late with Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. in the silks. 

#3 CHIP HONCHO: Logical win threat was a game runner-up to Paladin in the Risen Star (G2) here in his latest venture and could be the one to catch turning for home for Steve Asmussen. The dark bay son of Connect responded to the removal of blinkers last time, and the potential one to beat has posted a trio of nice morning drills to prepare for this event, as well. Luis Saez retains the ride. 

#4 UNIVERSE: Three-time graded-placed son of Global Campaign has not been very sharp in a pair of 2026 assignments, but could be an exotics threat for Kenny McPeek. The Kentucky-bred colt drilled a bullet five-eighths on the course last weekend in preparation for Saturday and will have Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the irons. 

#5 GOLDEN TEMPO: Top pick from the barn of Cherie DeVaux bagged the Lecomte (G3) on the strip two back prior to checking in third in the Risen Star last time out. The Curlin three-year-old possesses a fine closing burst and will race with blinkers on for the initial time in hopes of keeping him closer to the action in the early stages of the race. Regular rider Jose Ortiz will be in the stirrups. 

#6 SPIRIT OF ROYAL: Maiden winner from the Dallas Stewart shedrow was a non-factor in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park last time and will need to take a big step forward to be in the mix against this field in the latter stages of the event. He would be a surprise with Francisco Arrieta signed on. 

#7 BLACKSMITH: Baffert charge broke through with a nice maiden win last time and has faced some very good horses in his lifetime. The $525,000 son of Liam’s Map appears to be getting good at the right time of the season and put in a swift five- furlong drill in advance of Saturday, too. Florent Geroux will come in to keep the mount and will likely have the bay tracking the pace from the second flight early on. 

#8 EASTERLY: Second from the Brad Cox shedrow was a decisive maiden winner going two turns in his second run at Gulfstream and has some appeal as a lightly raced sort. By Uncle Mo, the $525,000 yearling purchase is bred for the distance and has the tactical speed to stay in range throughout the tilt. He wouldn’t be a total shocker in his black-type bow with Edgard Zayas in the irons. 

#9 EMERGING MARKET: Chad Brown pupil earned a huge 99 Brisnet Speed rating for his debut win at Tampa Bay Downs and will be a major threat with any kind of improvement. The Klaravich color bearer comes in with a quartet of morning moves in advance of his local debut, and I feel that the 1 3/16 miles will be in his wheelhouse, as well. Flavien Prat will guide the top prospect.