Super Derby berth up for grabs in Prelude

Leader of Men and Rotation figure to vie for favoritism in the $60,000 Prelude on Saturday at Louisiana Downs following the scratch of Mr Money Bags. The 1 1/16-mile race awards its first four finishers fees-paid berths into next month’s Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby.

Mr Money Bags, a three-time stakes winner coming off a troubled sixth place finish in the Iowa Derby, was expected to start as the favorite. But after showing slight symptoms of colic and subsequently being treated, he has been scratched, trainer Mike Neatherlin said Saturday.

“I don’t think it’s serious,” Neatherlin said. “It wasn’t real bad. He just wasn’t acting quite right.”

Neatherlin said provided Mr Money Bags bounces back well, the goal remains a start in the Super Derby at his home track of Louisiana Downs on Sept. 7.

The Prelude is one of seven stakes on the Saturday card at Louisiana Downs. The program also features six divisional stakes restricted to horses bred in Louisiana.

The defection of Mr Money Bags makes for a six-horse field in the Prelude.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Leader of Men, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 75-75-60

◗ He’s looking for his fourth consecutive win after running through his conditions in short order this meet at Louisiana Downs. He won a maiden special weight route on the turf May 6, an entry-level allowance route on the main track May 27, and a second-level allowance route on dirt in his last start July 8.

◗ Leader of Men, who makes his stakes debut Saturday, is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winners Hoppertunity, an earner of more than $4 million, and Executiveprivilege.

◗ Hector Del-Cid has the mount from the rail for Walpole Racing and trainer Jodie Hodges.

Rotation, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 78-80-79

◗ He was a maiden special weight winner May 4 at Churchill Downs, accounting for a 1 1/8-mile race on the main track. Rotation won wire-to-wire and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 80.

◗ Rotation has made one start since, finishing fourth to quality rival Night Ops in an optional $75,000 claiming route over 1 1/16 miles June 1 at Churchill.

◗ Rotation is a full brother to Tapiture, a Grade 2 winner of $1.5 million, as well as stakes winners Retap, who earned more than $230,000, and Remit, who earned more than $257,000.

◗ Richard Eramia has the mount for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen.