Road to the Kentucky Derby > Louisiana Derby
Louisiana Derby Race Facts
- Location: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans
- Inaugural Race: 1894
- Current Distance: 1 3/16 miles
- Track Type: Left-Handed Dirt
- Age Qualifications: Three-year-olds
- Status: Grade 2
- 2023 Purse: $1,000,000
- 2023 Race Date: Saturday, March 25th
The Louisiana Stakes is a Road to the Kentucky prep-race held each year at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. Winners of the contest are awarded 100-40-30-20-10 points.
2022 Louisiana Derby Race Results
| POST | HORSE | JOCKEY / TRAINER | WIN / PLACE / SHOW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Epicenter | Joel Rosario / Steven M. Asmussen | $4.00 / $2.80 / $2.40 |
| 2 | Zozos | Florent Geroux / Brad H. Cox | $3.40 / $2.80 |
| 7 | Pioneer of Medina | Tyler Gaffalione / Todd A. Pletcher | $5.00 |
| 9 | Rattle N Roll | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. / Kenneth G. McPeek | |
| 8 | Galt | Junior Alvarado / William I. Mott | |
| 3 | Call Me Midnight | James Graham / J. Keith Desormeaux | |
| 5 | Kupuna | Reylu Gutierrez / W. Bret Calhoun | |
| 4 | Curly Tail | Colby J. Hernandez / Dallas Stewart | |
| 1 | Silent Power | Gerard Melancon / Scott Gelner |
Exotic Payoffs:
- $1 Exacta (6-2) Paid: $6.40
- $0.50 Trifecta (6-2-7) Paid: $17.05
- $0.10 Superfecta (6-2-7-9) Paid: $13.25
Watch the 2022 Louisiana Derby
The History of the Louisiana Derby
The Louisiana Derby is a Grade II prep race along the Road to the Kentucky Derby. It is annually hosted at Fair Grounds Race Track and currently offers a sizeable purse of $1 million dollars. Typically run in late March, the Louisiana Derby also provides the top-four finishers 100-40-20-10 derby points for entry in to the first leg of the Triple Crown. This remains one of the longest running and storied competitions in the history of American Thoroughbred racing.
The very first running of the Louisiana Derby was held at Crescent City Race Course in 1894, but the race was named the Crescent City Derby. The race was officially moved to the Fair Grounds and rebranded as the Louisiana Derby. The only other track to host the Louisiana Derby is Jefferson Park, who held that honor for eleven years from 1920 through 1931.
Weather and outstanding circumstances have forced cancellations for the race. In 2006, the race was cancelled due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. There was also a period where the Louisiana Derby was not allowed to run from 1909 through 1919 because racing was illegal in the state of Louisiana.
The current distance of the Louisiana Derby is 1 3/16th miles. At its original distance of 1 1/8th miles, Clev Er Tell established the speed record in 1977, clocking a time of 1:42.60. From 1988 through 2009, the Louisiana Derby was run at a distance of 1 1/16th mile with Crypto Star achieved the speed record over that distance at 1:42.60 in 1997. In 2010, the Louisiana Derby returned to its original 1 1/8th mile distance but in 2020 the race was extended to 1 3/16th miles. At this length Epicenter has so far turned in the best time of 1:54.38, doing so in 2022.
Only two winners from the Louisiana Derby have won the Kentucky Derby. Black and Gold was the first to accomplish this feat, having done so in 1924. The most recent horse to accomplish this feat was Grindstone, who did so in 1996. Another famous Louisiana Derby winner is Risen Star, who would go on to win the 1988 Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well. Master Derby, winner of the 1975 Preakness Stakes, also scored in the Louisiana Derby.
Two Louisiana Derby winners went on to take the Preakness Stakes: Master Derby (1975) and Risen Star (1988), who also won the Belmont Stakes. The best recent winner was Gun Runner (2016), who went on to finish third in the Kentucky Derby before a great 4-year-old campaign that culminated with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The best guide for punters is the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds the previous month. Four recent Louisiana Derby winners – Girvin, Gun Runner, and International Star and Noble Indy – all won the Risen Star Stakes, while others to complete the double include Friesan Fire (2009), Pyro (2008), and Repent (2002) and Epicenter (2022).
Louisiana Derby Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey / Trainer | Dist. (Miles) / Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Epicenter | Joel Rosario / Steven M. Asmussen | 1 3⁄16 M / 1:54.38 |
| 2021 | Hot Rod Charlie | Joel Rosario / Leandro Mora | 1 3⁄16 M / 1:55.06 |
| 2020 | Wells Bayou | Florent Geroux / Brad H. Cox | 1 3⁄16 M / 1:56.47 |
| 2019 | By My Standards | Gabriel Saez / W. Bret Calhoun | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.53 |
| 2018 | Noble Indy | John R. Velazquez / Todd Pletcher | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.28 |
| 2017 | Girvin | Brian Hernandez Jr. / Joe Sharp | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.77 |
| 2016 | Gun Runner | Florent Geroux / Steve Asmussen | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.06 |
| 2015 | International Star | Miguel Mena / Michael Maker | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.67 |
| 2014 | Vicar's in Trouble | Rosie Napravnik / Michael Maker | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.77 |
| 2013 | Revolutionary | Javier Castellano / Todd Pletcher | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.28 |
| 2012 | Hero of Order | Eddie Martin Jr. / Gennadi Dorochenko | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.13 |
| 2011 | Pants on Fire | Rosie Napravnik / Kelly Breen | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.92 |
| 2010 | Mission Impazible | Rajiv Maragh / Todd Pletcher | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.32 |
| 2009 | Friesan Fire | Gabriel Saez / J. Larry Jones | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.46 |
| 2008 | Pyro | Sh.Bridgmohan / Steve Asmussen | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:44.44 |
| 2007 | Circular Quay | John R. Velazquez / Todd Pletcher | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.01 |
| 2006 | No Race due to track damage cause by Hurricane Katrina | ||
| 2005 | High Limit | Ramon Domínguez / Robert J. Frankel | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.74 |
| 2004 | Wimbledon | Javier Santiago / Bob Baffert | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.71 |
| 2003 | Peace Rules | Edgar Prado / Robert J. Frankel | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.67 |
| 2002 | Repent | Jerry D. Bailey / Kenneth McPeek | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.86 |
| 2001 | Fifty Stars | Donnie Meche / Steve Asmussen | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:44.76 |
| 2000 | Mighty | Shane Sellers / Frank L. Brothers | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.29 |
| 1999 | Kimberlite Pipe | Robby Albarado / Dallas Stewart | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.56 |
| 1998 | Comic Strip | Shane Sellers / Neil J. Howard | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.36 |
| 1997 | Crypto Star | Pat Day / Wayne Catalano | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.60 |
| 1996 | Grindstone | Jerry D. Bailey / D. Wayne Lukas | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.79 |
| 1995 | Petionville | Chris Antley / Randy Bradshaw | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.96 |
| 1994 | Kandaly | Craig Perret / Louie J. Roussel III | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.86 |
| 1993 | Dixieland Heat | Randy Romero / Gerald Romero | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:44.80 |
| 1992 | Line In The Sand | Pat Day / Neil J. Howard | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.40 |
| 1991 | Richman | Pat Day / William I. Mott | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:44.50 |
| 1990 | Heaven Again | Corey Nakatani / Vincent Timphony | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.80 |
| 1989 | Dispersal | José A. Santos / Bud Delp | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:43.80 |
| 1988 | Risen Star | Shane Romero / Louie J. Roussel III | 1 1⁄16 M / 1:42.80 |
| 1987 | J. T.'s Pet | Pat Day / Lynn S. Whiting | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.00 |
| 1986 | Country Light | Pat Day / Steve C. Penrod | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.40 |
| 1985 | Violado | Jacinto Vásquez / William E. Burch | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.20 |
| 1984 | Taylor's Special | Sam Maple / William I. Mott | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.60 |
| 1983 | Balboa Native | Jorge Velásquez / D. Wayne Lukas | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.60 |
| 1982 | El Baba | Don Brumfield / Dewey P. Smith | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.60 |
| 1981 | Woodchopper | Jorge Velásquez / Robert J. Reinacher Jr. | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.80 |
| 1980 | Prince Valiant | Mike A. Gonzalez / John M. Gaver Jr. | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.40 |
| 1979 | Golden Act | Sandy Hawley / Loren Rettele | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.20 |
| 1978 | Esop's Foibles | Chris McCarron / Loren Rettele | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.80 |
| 1977 | Clev Er Tell | Ray Broussard / Homer C. Pardue | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.80 |
| 1976 | Johnny Appleseed | Marco Castaneda / John M. Gaver Jr. | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.80 |
| 1975 | Master Derby | Darrel McHargue / Smiley Adams | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.60 |
| 1974 | Sellout | Marco Castaneda / James P. Conway | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.20 |
| 1973 | Leo's Pisces | Robert Breen / Abe Simoff | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.60 |
| 1972 | No Le Hace | Phil Rubbicco / Homer C. Pardue | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.80 |
| 1971 | Northfields | Walter Blum / Woody Stephens | 1⁄1 M / 1:50.80 |
| 1970 | Jim's Alibhi | Ronnie Baldwin / James J. Eckrosh | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:55.60 |
| 1969 | King of the Castle | Carlos H. Marquez / Oliver Cutshaw | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.80 |
| 1968 | Kentucky Sherry | Jimmy Combest / Alcee Richard | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.20 |
| 1967 | Ask the Fare | Donald Holmes / Jere R. Smith Sr. | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.00 |
| 1966 | Blue Skyer | Ray Broussard / James A. Padgett | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.60 |
| 1965 | Dapper Delegate | John Heckmann / Alcee Richard | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.20 |
| 1964 | Grecian Princess | Kelly Broussard / Peter C. Keiser | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.80 |
| 1963 | City Line | Robert L. Baird / John O. Meaux | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.20 |
| 1962 | Admiral's Voyage | Ray Broussard / Charles R. Parke | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.60 |
| 1961 | Bass Clef | Ronnie Baldwin / Anthony W. Rupelt | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.20 |
| 1960 | Tony Graff | Wayne Chambers / Nicholas Graffagnini | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.00 |
| 1959 | Master Palynch | Ray Broussard / Elmer Kalensky | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.80 |
| 1958 | Royal Union | John Heckmann / Frank Sanders | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.00 |
| 1957 | Federal Hill | Willie Carstens / Stanley M. Rieser | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.60 |
| 1956 | Reaping Right | Robert L. Baird / Vester R. Wright | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.00 |
| 1955 | Roman Patrol | Douglas Dodson / Joseph H. Pierce Sr. | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.80 |
| 1954 | Gigantic | Rich McLaughlin / John B. Theall | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:53.20 |
| 1953 | Matagorda | Paul J. Bailey / John B. Theall | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.80 |
| 1952 | Gushing Oil | Al Popara / Joseph Jansen | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.20 |
| 1951 | Whirling Bat | Pete Anderson / Thomas G. May | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:53.80 |
| 1950 | Greek Ship | Con Errico / Preston M. Burch | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.00 |
| 1949 | Rookwood | John Delahoussaye / John B. Theall | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.20 |
| 1948 | Bovard | Willie Saunders / James J. Rowan | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.60 |
| 1947 | Carolyn A. | Ronnie Nash / James P. Conway | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:57.80 |
| 1946 | Pellicle | Andrew LoTurco / E. Leigh Cotton | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.80 |
| 1945 | Race not held | ||
| 1944 | Olympic Zenith | Nick Jemas / Edward L. Snyder | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:54.00 |
| 1943 | Amber Light | Johnny Longden / Jack C. Hodgins | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.60 |
| 1940-1942 | Race not held | ||
| 1939 | Day Off | Eddie Arcaro / E. Leigh Cotton | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.60 |
| 1938 | Wise Fox | Johnny Longden / Alfred G. Tarn | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.20 |
| 1937 | Grey Count | Charles Corbett / Anthony Pelleteri | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.80 |
| 1936 | Rushaway | Johnny Longden / Alfred G. Tarn | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.80 |
| 1935 | McCarthy | Paul Keester / Thomas E. Keating | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:54.00 |
| 1934 | Hickory Lad | Jack Westrope / O. L. Foster | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:53.80 |
| 1933 | Col. Hatfield | Carl Meyer / John Parmalee | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:56.80 |
| 1932 | Lucky Tom | Anthony Pascuma / Henry C. Riddle | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:53.60 |
| 1931 | Spanish Play | Charles Landolt / George Land | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.20 |
| 1930 | Michigan Boy | Jimmy Shelton / J. Butler | 1 1⁄8 M / 2:00.20 |
| 1929 | Calf Roper | Frank Coltiletti / Charles E. Durnell | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:56.00 |
| 1928 | Jack Higgins | Charles E. Allen / William J. Curran | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.00 |
| 1927 | Boo | G. Johnson / William A. Hurley | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.80 |
| 1926 | Bagenbaggage | Eric Blind / William A. Hurley | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.20 |
| 1925 | Quatrain | Harry Stutts / Thomas J. Harmon | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:56.00 |
| 1924 | Black Gold | J. D. Mooney / Hanley Webb | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:57.60 |
| 1923 | Amole | J. D. Mooney / Frank P. Letellier | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:57.80 |
| 1921-1922 | Race not held | ||
| 1920 | Damask | Eddie Ambrose / Mose Goldblatt | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.80 |
| 1909-1919 | Race not held | ||
| 1908 | Meelick | Eddie Dugan / Sam Hildreth | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:51.80 |
| 1907 | Montgomery | Carroll Shilling / Frank E. Brown | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:53.60 |
| 1906 | Guiding Star | Jack Martin / Sam Hildreth | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:54.40 |
| 1905 | Right Royal | Jack Martin / Roger Minton | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:59.40 |
| 1904 | Ostrich | Grover Fuller / Not Available | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:52.20 |
| 1903 | Witfull | Willie Gannon / Sam Hildreth | 1 1⁄8 M / 2:07.60 |
| 1902 | Lord Quex | Jimmy Winkfield / Albert Simons | 1 1⁄8 M / 2:00.25 |
| 1901 | Henry Clay Rye | Harry Cochran / Not Available | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:55.00 |
| 1900 | Prince of Veronia | Eddie McJoynt / Robert J. Walden | 1 1⁄8 M / 2:00.00 |
| 1899 | King Barleycorn | William Martin / Edward W. Heffner | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:54.25 |
| 1898 | Presbyterian | Tommy Burns / George Walker | 1 1⁄8 M / 1:56.50 |
| 1897 | Meadowthorpe | Tommy Murphy / Not Available | 1 1⁄8 M / Not Available |
| 1895-1896 | Race not held | ||
| 1894 | Buckwa | Roy Williams / Not Available | 1 M / 1:51.00 |