Caldera likely headed to Louisiana Derby

Caldera, who fought to the wire when second by a nose in the $400,000 Sunland Derby, could be headed next to the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Wednesday.

Caldera was making his stakes debut in the Sunland Derby and was just edged by the Southern California-based Getaway Car. Caldera raced in fifth in the early stages, engaged leader Getaway Car at the top of the stretch, and the pair battled to the wire. Caldera earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

“He ran to our expectations,” Lukas said. “We really have liked this horse right along. He was a little bit green. He wasn’t focused and he still isn’t. But he’s a real tough horse. He’s a great horse to train and I feel really good about him.

“We don’t need to do anything but get a little experience under his belt.”

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Caldera came into the Sunland Derby off a maiden special weight win at his base of Oaklawn Park. He’s a son of Liam’s Map and is owned by MyRacehorse. Caldera was a $500,000 purchase out of the Ocala Breeders Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in training last March.

The Louisiana Derby will be run March 22 at Fair Grounds and offers its winner 100 points toward the Kentucky Derby.

“I’m not sure yet, but I’m looking towards the Louisiana Derby,” Lukas said. “I think that might be the best spot for him. Nice long stretch and he’s a tough competitor. I think that’s probably where we’re headed next.”

American Promise, another quality 3-year-old Lukas has at Oaklawn, was fifth in the recent Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds. Earlier in the Oaklawn meet, he won a maiden special weight route with a Beyer of 95.

“He’s doing really well,” Lukas said. “I was very disappointed in his race. He’s got good tactical speed and he didn’t get to show it. It was kind of a flat race for him. He’s a lot better horse than that.”

Lukas said he is still determining plans for American Promise.

“I’m looking at the Virginia Derby at Colonial, that’s a possibility,” he said.

Lukas said the other option is the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 22 at Turfway Park.

The Virginia Derby, which has been moved to dirt this year and offers its winner 50 points for the Derby, is March 15.

American Promise is a son of Justify who races for B C Stables. He is a half-brother to Hoosier Philly, a Grade 2 winner of more than $950,000.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.