Knicks Go should be in Super Derby mix from the start

The 40th running of the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby on Saturday at Louisiana Downs could be likened to a good batch of gumbo. There’s an eclectic mix of 10 horses in the field – from Grade 1 winner Knicks Go to the win-streaking local Leader of Men to the up-and-coming Rescind.

There’s also some heat, with the Weather Channel calling for a high of 102 degrees.

The Super Derby, at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, is the meet’s richest race and the focal point of a 13-race card that gets underway at noon Central. It will be supported by six turf stakes. The purses for the seven stakes total $660,000.

KEY CONTENDERS

Knicks Go, by Paynter

Last 3 Beyers: 92-85-84

◗ Knicks Go, the winner of last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity for KRA Stud Farm and trainer Ben Colebrook, enters the Super Derby off a close second in the $95,000 Ellis Park Derby on Aug. 11. Gray Magician won that race and on Monday came back and was second by a head in the Grade 3 Smarty Jones at Parx Racing.

“He did everything but win,” Colebrook said of Gray Magician. “He’s a nice horse.”

◗ Knicks Go set the pace in the one-mile Ellis Park Derby and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

“He ran good,” Colebrook said. “The plan was to be on the lead because of the configuration of that race.”

◗ Knicks Go will break from post 8 under Colby Hernandez.

“He’s going to be forwardly placed,” Colebrook said. “He doesn’t have to have the lead if the pace is really hot. If there’s a hot pace, we don’t want to get caught up in a duel. The outside post lets us see how things set up inside of him.”

Leader of Men, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 80-75-75

◗ He’s won all four of his starts this meet, including the $60,000 Prelude, the prep for the Super Derby. Leader of Men will break from post 6 under regular rider Hector-Del Cid.

“We’d like to see a little pace up in front of him,” said trainer Jodie Hodges. “He sits back, watches them all run, and when it comes time to run, that’s what he does.”

◗ Leader of Men races for Kevin Walpole, a 56-year-old local businessman who grew up going to Louisiana Downs.

“My grandma used to like to come out here,” Walpole said. “When I was 15 I used to come out with her and kind of got hooked on it. I’ve liked it ever since.”

◗ Walpole is delighted to have his first horse in his home track’s marquee race.

“I never thought it would come true,” he said. “I kind of got into it six years ago when I could afford it. Buying him has been a charm.”

Rescind, by Blame

Last 3 Beyers: 76-78-36

◗ He’s a half-brother to Apart, winner of the 2010 Super Derby, and has won both of his starts this meet at Louisiana Downs.

◗ Al Stall, who trains Rescind, has won a record three runnings of the Super Derby.