Vicar's in Trouble dominates Super Derby

BOSSIER CITY, La. - What a homecoming!

Vicar’s in Trouble, who was bred in Louisiana, was an explosive, 7 1/4-length winner of the Grade 2, $400,000 Super Derby on Saturday to surpass the $1 million mark in career earnings. The 1 1/8-mile race at Louisiana Downs was the richest offering on a card of seven stakes, with the races worth a cumulative $900,000.

Declan’s Fast Cat rallied from last for second in the Super Derby, while it was another three-quarters of a length to Victory Nor Defeat.

Vicar’s in Trouble ($4.60) was the favorite Saturday on the strength of a record that included Lecomte and Louisiana Derby tallies at Fair Grounds. He broke well and settled just off fellow Louisiana-breds Ide Be Cool and Gold Appointment, who were prominent through an opening quarter in 23.10 seconds.

Vicar’s in Trouble advanced between those rivals down the backside, moving in on Ide Be Cool’s territory through a half-mile in 47.88 seconds. Vicar’s in Trouble drew even with the leader around the turn and opened up into the stretch, while increasing his margin through the lane to cover distance on a fast track in 1:50.38.

“Visually it was one of his best races,” said Mike Maker, who trains Vicar’s in Trouble for Ken and Sarah Ramsey. “It reminded me a lot of his Louisiana Derby.”

Vicar’s in Trouble was an assertive winner of the Louisiana Derby back in March.

Rosie Napravnik was aboard for that win, as well as the Super Derby, and she agreed with Maker’s assessment of the race Saturday.

“I’m impressed with the way he can accelerate so quickly, as he did today,” she said.

Maker said earlier this week the Indiana Derby was one of the fall races mapped out for Vicar’s in Trouble and he said again Saturday that the plans remains the same. The horse is scheduled to ship back to Kentucky on Sunday. The Grade 2, $500,000 Indiana Derby is Oct. 4, at Indiana Grand.

Vicar’s in Trouble earned $240,000 for his win in the Super Derby, which was his fourth victory from nine starts. He has now banked $1,128,900. Vicar’s in Trouble, a son of Into Mischief, was bred by Spendthrift Farm.

The remaining order of finish in the Super Derby was Ide Be Cool in fourth, followed by Jessica’s Star, East Hall, Louisiana Flyboy, Announcement, Louies Flower, Alamo Heights, and Gold Appointment.

The all-stakes pick four on races 8-11 returned $2,645.40. The pool was $109,039.