Vicar's in Trouble favored in Super Derby

BOSSIER CITY, La. – Louisiana Downs drew its largest Super Derby field since 1996 on Wednesday, when 11 horses, led by Vicar’s in Trouble, were entered in the Grade 2, $400,000 race that goes Saturday. Vicar’s in Trouble was made the 9-5 morning-line favorite against a group that includes 3-1 second choice Jessica’s Star and 5-1 third choice East Hall.

Back in 1996, Editor’s Note won the Super Derby as part of an 11-horse field.

The Super Derby is being run for the 35th time, and Louisiana Downs is supporting the race with six other stakes for total purses of $900,000. The program is the richest of the meet – and the longest, as the 13-race card will start at noon Central. There will be an all-stakes pick four that starts with the eighth race, and the guaranteed pool is $100,000. The Super Derby will go as the 11th race, with a post of 5:12 p.m.

“We’ve not put together a stakes card like this in my [six] years here,” said Trent McIntosh, director of racing operations for Louisiana Downs.

Vicar’s in Trouble will enter the Super Derby off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer on Aug. 2. Earlier this year, he captured the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. Rosie Napravnik has the mount for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker.

Jessica’s Star, the winner of the Grade 3 Iowa Derby, arrived at Louisiana Downs on Monday aboard a flight that also brought Announcement from Kentucky, according to Louisiana Downs racing secretary David Heitzmann.

The field from the rail, with riders and morning-line odds: Jessica’s Star (James Graham, 3-1), Louies Flower (Jamie Theriot, 30-1), Ide Be Cool (Chris Rosier, 15-1), Vicar’s in Trouble (Napravnik, 9-5), Louisiana Flyboy (Richard Eramia, 10-1), Victory Nor Defeat (Edgar Prado, 8-1), Alamo Heights (Cliff Berry, 12-1), Gold Appointment (Colby Hernandez, 20-1), Declan’s Fast Cat (Gerard Melancon, 30-1), East Hall (Juan Leyva, 5-1), and Announcement (Junior Alvarado, 12-1.)

The forecast for Saturday is for sunny skies and a high of 93 degrees, according to The Weather Channel. There is a 20 percent chance of precipitation. The Super Derby is scheduled to be broadcast on HRTV, said McIntosh.