Irwin finally gets his Super Derby contender in The Pickett Factor

BOSSIER CITY, La. – Trainer Ralph Irwin has quietly built a reputation as one of the best horsemen on the grounds at Louisiana Downs, and his work with The Pickett Factor will place him in the spotlight on Saturday. The horse is the morning-line favorite for the Grade 2, $400,000 Super Derby and represents Irwin’s first starter in the marquee race at his home track.

“The horse deserves the opportunity to be in there,” Irwin said. “He’s a real blessing. We’re just riding on his coattails.”

Irwin is a 65-year-old native of Columbus, Neb., and on behalf of owner Melissa Cantacuzene, he has guided The Pickett Factor to a 3-for-4 season at Louisiana Downs. The horse beat older rivals in a pair of allowances earlier in the season, then won the $100,000 Prelude Stakes in his most recent start Aug. 8. It was a campaign that was carefully crafted following a debut win at Oaklawn Park in February.

“I wanted to run him one more time at Oaklawn, but he bruised a foot,” said Irwin. “We got set back. It was more time consuming than I hoped for, and I talked to Mrs. Cantacuzene, and we came to the agreement to give him time, to make sure we were giving him every opportunity. We decided to have him prepared for Louisiana Downs.”

The Pickett Factor developed over the spring and into the summer and has shown versatility in his races by winning from both on and off the pace. In his trainer, the horse has someone in tune with his most intricate needs heading into the biggest race of his career.

Irwin is a son of R.L. “Bob” Irwin, a former assistant to trainer Marion Van Berg and a three-time title winner at Oaklawn in the 1960s. Ralph Irwin worked for his father as well as Marion Van Berg’s son, Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. During his time with Jack Van Berg, Irwin played a key role with Happyasalark Tomas when the horse finished a close second to Seeking the Gold in the 1988 Super Derby.

Irwin has gone on to make his mark as a trainer with such multiple stakes winners as Tortuga Flats and Tortuga Straits, who for years held their form while winning multiple stakes in Louisiana. Irwin’s other stakes winners include Doyouwanttodance, whom he trained for Cantacuzene.

Irwin called Cantacuzene one morning a few years back about a yearling at a farm 25 minutes from Louisiana Downs. The horse was for sale, he liked him, and he asked the owner to come take a look at the individual. Cantacuzene did not hesitate to purchase the Gold Tribute colt, who has become The Pickett Factor.