Departing headed to Louisiana Derby

Departing, who remained undefeated in three starts with his win in the $50,000 Texas Heritage Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on March 2, is to run next in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, trainer Al Stall Jr. said Friday. The 1 1/8-mile race will be run at Fair Grounds on March 30.

Departing is based at Fair Grounds. He won his career debut at the New Orleans track Dec. 22, then won a first-level allowance in his two-turn debut there Feb. 1. Departing was then entered in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds, but after drawing post 14 was scratched and redirected to the Texas Heritage.

Departing won the one-mile stakes at Sam Houston by 2 3/4 lengths and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 97. He is a son of War Front and has been ridden in each of his starts by Brian Hernandez Jr., who last year won the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Fort Larned.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]