Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Louisiana Derby

Mar 18, 2026

Golden Tempo wins the Lecomte at Fair Grounds. (Photos by Benoit Photo)

A well-matched field of nine three-year-old horses with hopes of making it to Louisville for the first Saturday in May will contest the lucrative, $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. The 1 3/16-mile feature is a part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series, with the top five across the wire earning qualifying points to the Run for the Roses on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis.

The Cherie DeVaux-trained Golden Tempo started his career with a sprint win on the course, going six furlongs, when he unleashed a fine last-to-first rally on Dec. 20. In his second appearance, the bay son of Hall of Famer Curlin was once again in last early prior to uncorking another huge run in the stretch to capture the Lecomte (G3) at 1 1/16 miles to move his mark to perfect two-for-two.

Golden Tempo could only muster a third-place result in the Risen Star (G2) in his most recent race, but he will be equipped with blinkers on Saturday, and the three-year-old horse has posted a trio of solid morning drills at this venue as of late. If the top pick could stay closer in the early stages of the race with less left to do turning for home, then I think that he will be the one first across the wire. Jose Ortiz has ridden the colt in each of his three races to date and will once again guide the homebred.

A @reredevaux exacta in the G3 Leocomte! 🏆 @fairgroundsnola

GOLDEN TEMPO comes up the rail after being last to earn 20 @kentuckyderby points! @jose93_ortiz was aboard! 🌹

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ZYTBtAaRzS

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 18, 2026

Chip Honcho led at nearly every call when second in the Risen Star here last time and could be the one to reel in turning for home on Saturday. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the grandson of Curlin has been first or second in four straight races, and he responded well to the removal of blinkers in his latest endeavor, as well. He should be dead-fit for the race following three workouts on the Fair Grounds dirt leading up to the race, and jockey Luis Saez will ask him for speed from the gate once again.

Emerging Market has just one race to his credit, but it was a very impressive one for sure. Chad Brown trainee won at two turns on the Tampa Bay Downs dirt and earned a race-best 99 Brisnet Speed rating in the process. By very good sire Candy Ride, the chestnut lacks the experience of his foes and is also drawn widest of all in the field, but if he shows improvement in his second showing, then the horse will be a contender. Flavien Prat will come in to ride him.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #5 Golden Tempo on top of #3 Chip Honcho and #9 Emerging Market in the 2026 Louisiana Derby is the Best Bet of the Week.

Wager

$10 exacta 5 with 3,9 ($20)

Bonus Play – Fair Grounds Oaks (Race 11)

Wager

$2 exacta box 5,6,7 ($12)