Louisiana Derby winner Wells Bayou launches comeback in Louisiana Stakes

Wells Bayou came out of relative obscurity to finish second in the Southwest Stakes last February at Oaklawn Park, after which he came to Fair Grounds and wired the Louisiana Derby. He set a fast pace and faded to fifth in a division of the Arkansas Derby on May 2 and hasn’t started since, his 3-year-old season curtailed by cannon-bone bruising.

Wells Bayou has been tuning up at Oaklawn for his 4-year-old debut, which comes Saturday at Fair Grounds in the Louisiana Stakes.

“He’s really grown since last year. He’s a big, strong horse now,” trainer Brad Cox said. “He breezed really well last weekend.”

Wells Bayou could be part of a huge day for Cox, if all goes well. He’ll have strong favorites in the Silverbulletday, with Sun Path, and in the Lecomte, with Mandaloun. Secret Message rates a strong chance in the $100,000 Marie Krantz, while Readyforprimetime is a major pace player, if not more, in the $100,000 Duncan Kenner.

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

Mr. Misunderstood was entered in the Colonel E.R. Bradley Stakes but was retired from racing earlier this week.

Cox entered Gagetown, who was second going six furlongs in the Sugar Bowl last month, in race 8, a first-level dirt-route allowance race (with a $50,000 claiming option) for 3-year-olds.

“He’s not super-fast. He was able to get it done sprinting, but I hope he can be more effective around two turns,” Cox said.

Cox has 3-year-old maidens in races 4, 5, and 7. In race 4, a dirt sprint, Cox entered Warrant and Koolhouse, the latter the first also-eligible as well as the more forward of the pair.

“I think Koolhouse is the better of the two, right now, at least,” Cox said. “He’s pretty quick and quick from the gate. Warrant just isn’t where he needs to be mentally to win first out.”

Hana Road is drawn wide for her career debut in race 5, a turf route, but has ability.

“I thought about dirt with her, but she wants distance, so we’ll just try the grass first time out,” Cox said.

In race 7, Sharp Rocket, who debuted modestly in a dirt sprint, “should move forward with more ground and grass.” Fulsome “was a little disappointing last time” when fourth as the favorite, and Cox is adding blinkers for this grass mile.