Emerging Market makes the grade in Louisiana Derby

Mar 21, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Emerging Market (left) outdueled Pavlovian in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photo)

Trainer Chad Brown already had the early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite, Paladin. Now Brown has another unbeaten contender, Emerging Market, who just punched his ticket with a determined effort in Saturday’s $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2).

Klaravich Stables’ aptly-named colt emerged as a contender in his stakes debut on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. By outdueling Pavlovian in a stretch-long tussle, Emerging Market opened his account with 100 points. He was also completing a double for jockey Flavien Prat, after his Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) coup aboard Life of Joy.

Emerging Market had raced only once before, but he learned plenty in his hard-fought maiden success Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs. That promising effort, in fast time, made him the slight 2-1 favorite as he stepped up to face tougher competition in the Louisiana Derby. Once again, the chestnut proved relentless in hand-to-hand combat.

Breaking from post 9, Emerging Market tucked in behind the early leaders when settling into fifth. Up front, Pavlovian leveraged his early speed on the rail to grab the lead, but he was hounded by Autobahn.

Chip Honcho, the 2.10-1 second choice, was also forwardly placed in an attending third. Coming off a second to Paladin in the Risen Star (G2) here, Chip Honcho might have served as a good gauge for Emerging Market. Yet Chip Honcho did not find as much as expected in the Louisiana Derby.

Pavlovian posted strong fractions of :22.65, :46.23, and 1:10.85 that took more of a toll on Autobahn and Chip Honcho. But just when Pavlovian put them away, he found Emerging Market sweeping up to confront him at the top of the lane.

Given the early pressure he endured, Pavlovian had a right to wilt at this stage. To his credit, he battled back and appeared to be holding off Emerging Market.

In the final strides of the long Fair Grounds stretch, Emerging Market headed the valiant Pavlovian and finished 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.18.

What a finish! 👀

🌹 100 Kentucky Derby points goes to EMERGING MARKET, rises to the moment in the G2 https://t.co/EynbFb3eBd Louisiana Derby at @fairgroundsnola!

Chad Brown trains and Flavien Prat was aboard.

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/w5P3wLeQgc

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 21, 2026

Now 2-for-2, Emerging Market has bankrolled $618,880.

“In his first race he showed a lot of professionalism,” Prat said. “I was a little worried about the nine hole, but we worked out a good trip. He fought hard. It was a good run, very professional. Honestly, when I turned for home I thought I would win easily, but Pavlovian gave us a good challenge.”

Pavlovian added 50 points to his ledger for an overall total of 70. The winner of the Sunland Park Derby in a photo finish last time out, the Doug O’Neill pupil arguably ran even better here.

Golden Tempo, sporting blinkers for the first time, responded with a strong rally for third. Just a length behind Pavlovian, he picked up 25 points (for a total of 60).

There was a 5 1/2-length gap back to Universe in fourth (15 points for a total of 38), and Chip Honcho checked in fifth (10 points for a total of 49). Next came Blacksmith, Spirit of Royal, Easterly, and Autobahn.

Bred by Stoneriggs Farm in Kentucky, Emerging Market was purchased for $185,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September. The Candy Ride colt is the first foal from Wild Empress, an Empire Maker mare who is a half-sister to 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) champion She Be Wild.