Underpressure may run in Crescent City Derby next

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Underpressure is quietly building a nice 3-year-old résumé. The horse based at Oaklawn has gone 3 for 4 in his career and became a stakes winner this month in the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Prince at Delta Downs.

Underpressure put in a sweeping run for a two-length victory and emerged from the Feb. 11 race in good order, trainer Chris Richard said Friday. For the effort, the son of Birdstone earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 76. Underpressure’s win came in a departure from the stalking tactics he had used one start earlier, when beaten a half-length in the $100,000 Pelican at Delta.

“We decided to sit and make one run with him in the [Prince],” Richard said. “I think that’s kind of what he wants to do. He’s a one-run horse. You make one run with him and see if he can get there, and that’s what we did in this last race.”

Richard said Underpressure will be considered for a start at Oaklawn, but a firm target comes April 1 at Fair Grounds.

“We’re still obviously very thrilled about how he ran in his last race and want to continue to try to keep him with Louisiana-breds,” Richard said. “I would say the next logical spot in Louisiana is the Crescent City Derby at the beginning of April.”

The 1 1/16-mile race for statebreds is on the undercard of the Louisiana Derby.

Underpressure races for Mallory Greiner. Richard is based at Oaklawn.