A field of 13 – most wholly unproven in open stakes competition – was entered in the Grade 2, 1 1/8-mile Louisiana Derby, the centerpiece of what ought to be a blockbuster, multi-graded-stakes racing program Saturday at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Mucho Macho Man, winner of the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in his most recent start, drew post 5 and was made the 9-5 favorite on the morning line.
The Factor put himself on the road to the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, when he answered the two-turn question with authority in the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The 1 1/16-mile was his first start beyond seven furlongs, and he settled beautifully before winning off by 6 1/4 lengths.
The Factor dominated from the start Saturday when winning by daylight in the 51st running of the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.
Rogue Romance has been withdrawn from consideration for the 137th Kentucky Derby after being diagnosed with a small fracture in the inside quarter of his left front foot, trainer Ken McPeek said Saturday.
Elite Alex will be scratched from Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn and will run next in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 26.
Glint, a stakes winner who on Friday morning was scratched from the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel at Oaklawn, is being considered for a start in one of several races, including the Sunland Derby, said his trainer, Kellyn Gorder. He added that the other options for the horse include the Spiral or Rushaway at Turfway.
Bench Points, third in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes in his graded stakes debut on March 12, is expected to return in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9, trainer Tim Yakteen said.
The field for the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby on March 27 was beginning to come together on Friday, with Astrology and Supreme Ruler committing to the 1 1/8-mile race and Nacho Saint and Ruler On Ice settled in after shipping from New York.
Premier Pegasus rocketed to the top of the Santa Anita Derby rankings list after an authoritative triumph March 12 in the Grade 2 San Felipe.
