The Grade II TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby, scheduled for March 23, 2025, at the Fair Grounds Race Course, is a key stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering 100 points to the winner and guaranteeing a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.
Horses and Pedigrees
- Silver Strike
- Sire: Tapit
- Dam: Songbird
- Breeder: Whisper Hill Farm
- Owner: Whisper Hill Farm & Three Chimneys Farm Silver Strike has inherited Tapit’s hallmark stamina and Songbird’s elite class, making him a top contender.
- Bayou Legend
- Sire: Gun Runner
- Dam: Cajun Sunrise
- Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
- Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC Bayou Legend is a son of the brilliant Gun Runner, combining speed and resilience.
- Majestic Prospect
- Sire: Into Mischief
- Dam: Royal Prospect
- Breeder: Summerfield Stables LLC
- Owner: Madaket Stables LLC Majestic Prospect, by Into Mischief, brings tactical speed and versatility to the race.
- Rising Empire
- Sire: Classic Empire
- Dam: Tiz Rising
- Breeder: Westwind Farms
- Owner: Phoenix Thoroughbreds III, Ltd. Rising Empire, with Classic Empire’s genetics, has proven consistency and sharpness.
- Sunlit Victory
- Sire: Curlin
- Dam: Dawning Glory
- Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC
- Owner: Stonestreet Stables LLC Sunlit Victory is bred for stamina with Curlin’s resilience and a strong damline.
- Cajun Copper
- Sire: Pioneerof the Nile
- Dam: Bayou Blush
- Breeder: Clearsky Farms
- Owner: Clearsky Farms & Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners Cajun Copper combines Pioneerof the Nile’s class with Louisiana turf influence.
- Thunder Captain
- Sire: Justify
- Dam: Lightning Flash
- Breeder: Ashford Stud
- Owner: Coolmore America Thunder Captain, from the first crop of Triple Crown winner Justify, has shown impressive raw talent.
- Royal Anthem
- Sire: Honor Code
- Dam: Regal Beauty
- Breeder: Lane’s End Farm
- Owner: Lane’s End Racing LLC Royal Anthem’s pedigree highlights a blend of speed and stamina.
Jockeys and Trainers
- Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Silver Strike, trained by Todd Pletcher. Ortiz’s aggressive riding style pairs perfectly with Pletcher’s proven expertise in prepping Derby horses.
- Florent Geroux partners with Bayou Legend, under the guidance of Steve Asmussen. Geroux’s tactical mindset and Asmussen’s experience make them a formidable pair.
- Tyler Gaffalione teams up with Majestic Prospect, trained by Brad Cox. Gaffalione’s consistency complements Cox’s strong record with three-year-olds.
- Luis Saez rides Rising Empire, trained by Mark Casse. Saez’s bold riding style aligns well with Casse’s sharp planning.
- Joel Rosario partners with Sunlit Victory, trained by Chad Brown. Rosario’s patience and Brown’s turf expertise make this duo intriguing.
- Jareth Loveberry rides Cajun Copper, trained by Michael Stidham. Loveberry’s growing reputation aligns well with Stidham’s tactical training methods.
- Edwin Maldonado teams up with Thunder Captain, trained by Bob Baffert. Maldonado’s adaptability complements Baffert’s success in Triple Crown prep races.
- Brian Hernandez Jr. partners with Royal Anthem, trained by Ian Wilkes. Hernandez’s experience suits Wilkes’s methodical training approach.
