Study Guide: 2025 Louisiana Derby

Mar 17, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Jockey Jareth Loveberry pilots Built to victory in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography / Credit to Lou Hodges, Jr.)

The $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds has produced two of the last six winners of the Kentucky Derby (G1). The 1 3/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier is rising in prominence and has attracted a promising 10-horse field for its 2025 renewal on Saturday.

Let’s take a tour through the entries:

John Hancock

John Hancock wins the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photo)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: WinStar Farm and CHC
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (97) when winning the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $138,560

Sire: Constitution
Dam: Scribbling Sarah
Color: Chestnut

The undefeated John Hancock has wired both his starts, most notably taking the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis S. over next-out Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Owen Almighty and Remsen (G2) victor Poster. He’s a serious threat to wire the Louisiana Derby field even while stepping up in class and distance.

🖊️🌹 John Hancock signs, seals and delivers in the Sam F. Davis, picking up 20 @kentuckyderby points!

Flavien Prat was up for trainer @bradcoxracing!

🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/3pUHekNPsH

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 8, 2025

Chunk of Gold

Chunk of Gold wins at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Terry L. Stephens
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Trainer: Ethan West
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Top Speed Rating: (94) when finishing second in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $148,818

Sire: Preservationist
Dam: Play for Gold
Color: Gray/roan

Chunk of Gold rallied late to finish second in the Risen Star (G2), the local prep for the Louisiana Derby. He was no match for runaway winner Magnitude, but he did finish ahead of next-out Virginia Derby winner American Promise. Look for Chunk of Gold to close ground again in the Louisiana Derby.

Tiztastic

Tiztastic wins at Kentucky Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 7
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith
Breeder: Capital Bloodstock
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing third in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn.
Total Earnings: $949,800

Sire: Tiz the Law
Dam: Keesha
Color: Dark bay/brown

Tiztastic has earned Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points in four straight races, most recently when fifth in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn. But he’ll need to improve upon his career-best 90 Brisnet Speed rating to fight for more than a minor award in the Louisiana Derby.

Yinzer

Yinzer wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, and W. S. Farish
Breeder: W. S. Farish
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ben Curtis

Top Speed Rating: (87) when winning a Fair Grounds maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $48,540

Sire: Twirling Candy
Dam: Rehearsed
Color: Bay

Yinzer led all the way to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Fair Grounds last month, but the 87 Brisnet Speed rating he earned looks a bit light against Saturday’s field.

Caldera

Caldera wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: MyRacehorse
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (96) when finishing second in the Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park.
Total Earnings: $174,616

Sire: Liam’s Map
Dam: Send Me On My Way
Color: Gray/roan

Caldera nearly won his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut in the Sunland Park Derby, but he settled for second place by a nose against the Grade 1-placed Getaway Car. That effort produced a sharp 96 Brisnet Speed rating, suggesting Caldera has the talent to factor in the Louisiana Derby.

Built

12/21/2024 -- Jockey Jareth Loveberry pilots Built to victory in the 4th running of the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
Breeder: Robert Low and Lawana Low
Trainer: Wayne Catalano
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $224,204

Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Sea Garden
Color: Bay

Built has cracked the trifecta in a trio of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Fair Grounds, finishing first in the Gun Runner S., second in the Lecomte (G3), and third in the Risen Star (G2). In the Risen Star, he raced outside on a day when the rail seemed advantageous. If the track is fair for the Louisiana Derby, look for Built to rebound and challenge for victory under hot jockey Jose Ortiz.

Vassimo

Vassimo wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Team Penney Racing
Breeder: Sierra Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (91) when finishing fourth in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $63,500

Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Bsharpsonata
Color: Bay

Vassimo appeared to be tiring after sticking within a few lengths of a hot pace in the Risen Star, but down the homestretch he re-rallied to finish fourth. Perhaps adding blinkers can sharpen Vassimo’s speed and focus, enabling him to challenge for a stronger finish.

Furio

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Scott and Evan Dilworth
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning a Fair Grounds maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $57,400

Sire: McKinzie
Dam: Take Charge Angel
Color: Bay

Furio has set the pace in all three of his starts, including when second by five lengths to Instant Replay in a 1 1/16-mile $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Fair Grounds. Stretching his speed over 1 3/16 miles could prove tricky since John Hancock and Yinzer are formidable pace rivals drawn to Furio’s inside.

Instant Replay

Instant replay wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Gary and Mary West
Breeder: Gary and Mary West Stables
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Top Speed Rating: (93) when winning a Fair Grounds $100,000 allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $96,358

Sire: Maximum Security
Dam: Academy Gal
Color: Bay

Instant Replay is a logical contender after rallying to win a 1 1/16-mile $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Fair Grounds by five lengths. That runaway win earned a solid 93 Brisnet Speed rating, fast enough to put Instant Replay in the hunt for a top-three finish on Saturday.

Hypnus

Hypnus wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Brookdale Racing
Breeder: Phoenix Thoroughbreds (III)
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (92) when winning a Fair Grounds maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $67,250

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Dream Tree
Color: Bay

Hypnus impressed in his debut racing 1 1/16 miles at Fair Grounds, winning by 2 1/2 lengths, but he subsequently finished seventh in the Rebel on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Hypnus didn’t get the best trip in the Rebel, but even with a clean journey in the Louisiana Derby, he may need a step forward to challenge the top contenders.