Louisiana Derby

Although Starrininmydreams won his first two starts against maiden and allowance company at Churchill Downs, the son of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver completely misfired in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds last month, finishing ninth by a wide margin. A slow start didn't help his chances, and Starrininmydreams was also reluctant to settle, fighting his rider around the first turn. He can improve with a more relaxed journey on Saturday, though it's fair to question whether Starrininmydreams—with his modest career-best 88 Brisnet Speed rating—is fast enough to challenge against this caliber of competition.

Rightandjust didn't run a bad race by any means when finishing sixth in the Risen Star. After carving out relatively quick fractions of :23.65, :48.45, and 1:12.74, Rightandjust weakened down the homestretch to split the field in sixth place, beaten 7 3/4 lengths. Rightandjust has trained sharply since then and figures to set the pace again on Saturday, though the son of Awesome Again will need improvement to factor for a top-four finish, and on paper there's no clear reason to think Rightandjust will take the necessary step forward.

After finishing second in his debut sprinting six furlongs at Fair Grounds, Run Classic took a big step forward when stretching out over 1 1/16 miles, employing pace-tracking tactics to win a maiden race by 3 1/4 lengths. The son of Runhappy brings promising Brisnet Speed ratings to the mix and is training sharply for his stakes debut, so if one of the favorites falters, this $475,000 auction acquisition can finish in the top four at a fair price.

A beautifully bred son of Tapit out of the multiple Grade 1-winning mare Panty Raid, Proxy hasn't finished out of the exacta in five starts, including two previous Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races at Fair Grounds. In both the Lecomte (G3) and the Risen Star, Proxy battled gamely to record runner-up efforts, beaten no more than 1 1/4 lengths. Since Proxy does tend to race a bit greenly, trainer Michael Stidham will equip the bay colt with blinkers for the Louisiana Derby. If adding headgear sharpens Proxy's focus, victory isn't out of the question, especially with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in the saddle.

The only Louisiana Derby entrant shipping in from another track is Hot Rod Charlie, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last fall. The capable son of Preakness (G1) winner Oxbow kicked off 2021 with a close third-place effort in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita, beaten just a neck in a three-horse photo finish. But Hot Rod Charlie benefited from rallying into a hot pace, so unless a similarly favorable setup unfolds in the Louisiana Derby, Hot Rod Charlie may find it difficult to beat the local runners to the winner's circle.

Conditioned by Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox, Mandaloun brings an impressive 3-for-4 record to the mix, with his lone defeat coming courtesy of a wide trip and a slow pace in the Lecomte. A more favorable setup when adding blinkers in the Risen Star made all the difference, as Mandaloun gamely fought off multiple rivals to score by 1 1/4 lengths. The 100 Brisnet Speed rating he posted is tied for the highest in the Louisiana Derby field, and Mandaloun is training strongly for his toughest test to date. The Juddmonte Farms homebred will be tough to deny.

Consistency has been a strong suit for Midnight Bourbon since his debut last summer. The son of Tiznow hasn't missed the trifecta in half a dozen starts, including four Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races. Setting a slow pace in the Lecomte allowed Midnight Bourbon to post a gate-to-wire victory over Proxy and Mandaloun, but pressing a contested tempo in the Risen Star left Midnight Bourbon a leg-weary third behind those same rivals. A series of sharp workouts in the interim should have Midnight Bourbon primed for another top-three finish, but stretching out over 1 3/16 miles could make it difficult for him to reclaim the top prize.

A son of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, O Besos ran an even race in the Risen Star, passing tiring rivals to finish fourth. It was an encouraging effort for his first start around two turns, but O Besos was nonetheless beaten a minimum of 5 3/4 lengths by the top three finishers, suggesting the chestnut colt has form to find against this caliber of competition.