NEW ORLEANS – Sure, it’s horse racing, but there are times when a jockey, understanding the nuances of the track and able to make split-second decisions based on unforeseen developments, can make a huge difference. So it was at Fair Grounds on Saturday, when the track’s leading rider, Rosie Napravnik, adjusted to the track profile and a slow start by a key rival when sending Vicar’s in Trouble to a front-running victory in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby. Vicar’s in Trouble has speed, and inside speed was prominent much of the day. But the Louisiana Derby’s front-runner looked to be the speedy Rise Up, who was adding blinkers and whose trainer, Tom Amoss, said would be sent. But Rise Up took a sharp, left-hand turn at the start, wiping out Commanding Curve. Vicar’s in Trouble was just inside Commanding Curve but avoided that early trouble with an alert start, and he and Napravnik never looked back. Vicar’s in Trouble ($8.60) turned back a challenge from the favored Intense Holiday at the top of the stretch and then drew away to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Intense Holiday finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of third-place Commanding Curve, who made a remarkable run after his early trouble to rally for third. In Trouble crossed the wire fourth, in front of Albano, but those places were reversed following a stewards’ inquiry owing to an incident near the half-mile pole, where In Trouble came out and crashed into Albano. Flat Gone was sixth and was followed by King Cyrus, Gold Hawk, Louies Flower, and Rise Up. [ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays] Vicar’s in Trouble completed 1 1/8 miles on the fast main track in 1:50.77 and earned 100 qualifying points under the system used by Churchill Downs to determine the Kentucky Derby field if more than 20 horses enter. He gave owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey their second starter in the Derby, after having We Miss Artie earn 50 points by winning last week’s Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park. Napravnik swept the day’s two biggest races. Earlier, she rode Untapable to an overpowering victory in the Fair Grounds Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. “Hell of a day,” she said. Vicar’s in Trouble won the Grade 3 Lecomte here in January, then was third last month in the Risen Star after starting from post 13 in a field of 14. His trainer, Mike Maker, said he felt he “handcuffed” Napravnik “a little” in the Risen Star. “All the speed was in post 1 and 2, which I thought would force their hand,” Maker said. “We had a bad post, so I told Rosie to take back.” This time, there would no taking back, nor taking of prisoners. “I gave her free rein,” Maker said. That’s all Napravnik needed. “I didn’t plan to be on the lead, but he broke so sharp,” Napravnik said. Vicar’s in Trouble set fractions of 23.56 seconds for a quarter-mile, 47.86 for a half, 1:12.14 for six furlongs, and 1:37.15 for one mile. Intense Holiday, in traffic down the backstretch, was bumped sharply by Louies Flower and jockey Miguel Mena near the far turn when about to commence his rally, said his rider, Mike Smith. “He jumped right into me,” Smith said. Then, at the top of the stretch, Intense Holiday was cross-firing, with his front lead and rear lead not synchronized, and bounced off the rail. “He switched in front but switched the other way behind. That’s why he hit the fence,” Smith said. “But in all honesty, the race was over. “She,” Smith said, referring to Napravnik, “turned it into a sprint for home, which is what she should have done. It was a great ride. She left us flatfooted.” Robby Albarado, who rode Commanding Curve, admired the way his colt responded after early trouble. “He got eliminated right away,” Albarado said. “All I wanted was position because he’s so lightly raced. “He did well to weave through all that traffic, like he’ll need to do,” Albarado said, referring to the large Kentucky Derby field Commanding Curve would encounter should he make the race. “He’s progressing.” Vicar’s in Trouble has won three times in five starts and is 3 for 4 on dirt. After the Risen Star, he missed a few days of training with a foot abscess, and while he got two works in at Gulfstream prior to this race, he did not have a perfect five weeks. Does that mean there’s more there for Derby Day? “I sure hope so,” Maker said. “There’s gonna have to be.”