Three of the Kentucky Derby’s most imposing prospects – the champion Nyquist, Rebel Stakes winner Cupid, and Louisiana Derby winner Gun Runner – are graduates of Niall Brennan’s training program.

Sound familiar?

The Ocala, Fla., horseman was thought to have reached a career high-water mark in 2013 with a trio of alumni in the Derby gate. Winner Orb and third-place Revolutionary gave Brennan an immediate spike in his résumé, while pacesetter and 12th-place finisher Palace Malice went on to win the Belmont Stakes.

Upon his retirement, 1989 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sunday Silence attracted surprisingly little attention from American breeders but was sold to Japanese interests for $11 million, at the high end of the market at the time. It was a prudent move, as he went on to make innumerable contributions to that bloodstock industry. Now, more than a decade after his death, he could be adding some international intrigue to this Kentucky Derby.

Grade 2, $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby; 1,900 meters (approximately 1 3/16 miles); Meydan; March 26, 2016
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

Winner: Lani

Trainer: Mikio Matsunaga

Jockey: Yutaka Take

Owner: Yoko Maeda

Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby; 1 1/8 miles; Fair Grounds; March 26, 2016
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

Winner: Gun Runner, by Candy Ride

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Three Chimneys Farm

Beyer Speed Figure: 91

NEW ORLEANS – The two horses who shared the headlines in the Louisiana Derby on Saturday at Fair Grounds, the victorious Gun Runner and troubled fourth-place finisher Mo Tom, both came out of the race well, their trainers reported Sunday morning, and both will not race again until the Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs.

NEW ORLEANS – For Gun Runner and Mo Tom, the Louisiana Derby on Saturday played out like the Risen Star last month. For Gun Runner, it was a joyous sequel. For Mo Tom, another Nightmare on Gentilly Blvd.

Gun Runner ($9.80), making full use of his tactical speed and instant acceleration, completed a sweep of the two biggest Kentucky Derby preps at Fair Grounds by rolling to a 4 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, a result that thrilled his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Lani became the first Japanese horse to win the Group 2, $2 million UAE Derby and for his next trick will try to become the first Japanese horse to win the Kentucky Derby.

The main event on closing weekend at Fair Grounds is, of course the Louisiana Derby, race 10 on the card and the last leg of an all-stakes pick four.

RACE 7: INTERNATIONAL STAR was off the board as the odds-on favorite in the Mineshaft last time out but he was against the race flow, which favored those horses close to the pace. Expecting improvement. EAGLE ran a much better race, closing to just miss while also trying to close in a race where speed held the edge, though he has to deal with the wide post.

A's: 1, 10

The Dubai World Cup will be run half a world away, but Fair Grounds is the center of attention on these shores Saturday, with a stakes-packed, 15-race card led by four Grade 2 events – the $1 million Louisiana Derby, the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap, and the $300,000 Mervin Muniz Memorial. The only other graded event Saturday is the Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Ana at Santa Anita.

Louisiana Derby

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Girl power could hold sway in the $1 million UAE Derby, where the 3-year-old filly Polar River will be heavily favored and the main chance at an upset comes from another filly, the Argentine-bred Vale Dori. One filly has won this race, Khawlah in 2011.