Super Derby Day Recap

An enthusiastic crowd and a fine 13-race card made for an exciting Super Derby day this year. Below is a recap of the day in words and pictures…enjoy!

With an early post time of 12pm, my daily handicapping seminar was moved up an hour. I was joined by Louisiana Downs track announcer Travis Stone and special guests Nick Tammaro and Pat Cummings. The seminar was very informative, and the latter duo chipped in with interviews throughout the day…great job guys!

TVG commentators Frank Mirahmadi and Chris Kotulak at LAD

On the analysis front, I got four tops home, and my analyzed contenders were firing all day. The crowd was appreciative of my paddock show, and note that TVG was also on hand for our big day.

Unfortunately, after a couple of unsettled weather weeks, were were off the turf on Saturday. Fast main track played fair, especially in route races. Hat trick for jockey Francisco Torres, and leading rider Don Simington booted home a pair.

Unbridled Handicap: Complexion of this one changed when it was moved to the main track. Mogumbo Cat was a slam dunk on the turf, but she was much less proficient on the main and settled for runner-up honors behind late running winner Que Paso ($7). Don Simington rode the winner for trainer Allen Milligan.

Barksdale Air Force Base Color Guard

Sunday Silence Stakes: Possibly the most impressive win of the afternoon was turned in by William’s Kitten, who came from nowhere to dust my longshot play of the day Perfect Lou. This one was also originally scheduled for the turf. The promising 2yo son of Kitten’s Joy, out of a Menifee mare, was ridden by Garrett Gomez and is trained by Michael Maker.

Temperence Hill Stakes: This race looked like the most competitve stakes event on the card, and Johnny V brought home 11-1 outsider Southern Style.

Happy Ticket Stakes: My 3rd choice The Rumor’s True ($25.40) bested wiseguy selection Seasoned in this off the turf affair for juvenile fillies. I was happy for local trainer Steven Duke and was able to congratulate him after the race. He has had numerous underneath finishes at the current stand, and it was great to see him in the winners’ circle today!

Regal Ransom wins the 30th Super Derby

Grade 2 Super Derby: I covered this one in an earlier post. Watched this race in the winners’ circle and got an up close and personal view of wire job winner Regal Ransom. He controlled proceedings throughout and had plenty left in reserve to hold safe my top choice Blame. The top two appear to have bright futures. Hats off to Godolphin for having this one ready to roll in 1st start since Ky Derby.

River Cities Stakes: Again, things would have been much different if we were on the grass. My best bet on the card Dancin Perfect is clearly better on sod. She can handle the main but is not as fast on dirt, and I stated that fact numerous times in the paddock show. Same went for Category Seven, who ended up a clear 2nd behind Martin’s Bay. The winner loved the main and kept on finding under ‘Cisco Torres.

Image: Stacy Edwards