Three Takeaways from 2022 Louisiana Derby

Mar 30, 2022 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

A major qualifier in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series,
the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) awarded points on a
100-40-20-10 scale to the top four finishers, and it produced a top contender for this year’s Run for the Roses on May 7.

A convincing winner of the Feb. 19 Risen Star (G2) at Fair
Grounds, Epicenter had raced on or
very close to the lead in five previous starts, a frontrunning type who had
never shown the ability to rate behind horses. He changed that perception in
the Louisiana Derby, displaying valuable versatility given the amount of early
speed being assembled for the Kentucky Derby.

Joel Rosario grabbed the reins at the break, angling his
mount toward the rail, and Epicenter took kickback for the first time as he settled
behind a pair of runners. He continued to save ground until the conclusion of
the far turn, angling three-wide, and quickly inhaled rivals, accelerating to a clear advantage by midstretch.

The bay son of Not This Time was taken in hand late,
finishing up the seldom-used 1 3/16-mile distance in a track record 1:54.38,
and the race came back fast.

Epicenter registered a career-best 101 Brisnet Speed rating,
a figure that puts him in the upper echelon of Kentucky Derby hopefuls, and he also received
a triple-digit Late Pace number (106) for the first time.

Six major qualifiers remain, but Epicenter’s impressive win
puts him in the discussion for Kentucky Derby favoritism. The improving
three-year-old has a lot going for him.

Steve Asmussen will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of his first Kentucky Derby victory.

A 25-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs, Asmussen became
North America’s all-time winningest trainer last summer, but the Hall of Famer
has been winless from 21 attempts since saddling his first Kentucky Derby
starter in 2001.

Epicenter may be his best chance yet, and Asmussen is also
readying unbeaten Gotham (G3) winner Morello for the 2022 Kentucky Derby.

Zozos entered the
Louisiana Derby light on experience, winning his career debut in late January
and posting a 10 1/4-length allowance win three weeks later. He wound up setting
the pace on a short lead and held well to be a clear second in his stakes
debut, stamping his Kentucky Derby process.

He’s a promising colt for Brad Cox, but Kentucky Derby will be a steep test for Zozos.

After tracking the pace in second, Pioneer of Medina wound up third and picked up 20 points,
increasing his points ledger to 25. He should be able to make the Kentucky
Derby field for Todd Pletcher, but Pioneer of Medina will need to move forward
significantly upon the even effort to make any impact at Churchill Downs.