TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

 

Derby Darlings

Not only will trainers Steve Asmussen and Todd Pletcher be jostling for highly coveted Kentucky Derby qualifying points in this Saturday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), but there’s history on the line, too.

Heading into Fair Grounds, the latter’s five Louisiana Derby titles stand as the most in the race’s storied history. That said, the former has taken the 1 3/16-mile contest four times in his own right and can tie Pletcher for a share of the leaderboard on Saturday afternoon.

Asmussen is well positioned for a shot to share the throne, rolling out 3-1 opening line choice Track Phantom. The graded stakes winner (2024 Grade 3 Lecomte) and owner of a 6: 3-2-1 career line will be accompanied by stablemate, and 8-1 runner Hall of Fame.

Pletcher’s possible three-pronged defense takes shape with Agate Road (8-1), Antiquarian (12-1), and Triple Espresso (20-1). However, both Agate Road and Triple Espresso are cross-entered for the Jeff Ruby (G3).

Bring on the Hits

Luis Arraez, hold on a second (adjusts glasses), Endlessly, has gone 4-for-5 to start his young career and can add a third graded title with a triumph in the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.

Fresh off a back-charging 1 ¼-length El Camino Real Derby score, the 3-year-old colt enters Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile tilt as the 5-2 opening line choice. Competing under Umberto Rispoli, a top-five rider at Santa Anita this winter, Endlessly is in a prime position to capture what would be his largest payday to date.

The Michael McCarthy’s four career wins, which include last year’s Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3T) and Zuma Beach (G3T) Stakes, have netted just shy of $300,000. A win on Saturday alone would exceed that total by more than $100,000.

Final Four

A quartet of competitors are set to square off the second time in 35 days, returning to New Orleans for the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).

The last time Tarifa, Intricate, Alpine Princess, and V V’s Dream met in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) on Feb. 17, the group of fillies landed in that order. Tarifa and Intricate finished 1-2, while Alpine Princess and V V’s Dream ran 4-5.

Sloppy conditions proved no fuss for Tarifa, who soared to the front of the pack around the stretch and pulled away for a 2 ¾-length victory at 5-2. The Rachel Alexandra marked the Brad Cox charge’s first graded conquest, and third win in four tries (3-0-0).

With a target firmly drawn on her back, Tarifa (8-5) eyes a repeat performance against familiar foes.

Please Play

Fantasy folks out there understand the frustrating, but tantalizing allure of top-end talents like Zion Williamson, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Cooper Kupp. When they’re on the court, diamond, or field, there’s few better. The problem is they’ve struggled to stay healthy.

While 4-year-old colt First Mission (5-2) is nowhere near this star-powered trio in terms of missed time, the graded stakes winner has performed admirably (6: 3-0-2 line) despite not yet scratching the surface of his potential. The Florent Geroux mount can silence the doubters with a win in this Saturday’s $600,000 Essex (G3) at Oaklawn Park.

Before bowing out of last year’s Preakness (G1) with a tender hind ankle, First Mission was pegged as a breakout candidate for capturing the Lexington (G3). The colt returned after a six-month layoff and ran well in two starts but fizzled out against top competition in the Pegasus World Cup (G1), finishing ninth.

Which version of First Mission will show up this weekend, the MVP candidate or the player in street clothes?

75 & Up

Two horses with win rates exceeding 75 per cent are set to go head-to-head this Sunday at Fair Grounds. Jack Hammer (6-0-0 through eight starts) and Touchuponastar (11-2-1 in 14 tries) will put their sterling records on the line for a shot at the top spot in the $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes.

The former is a 3-year-old gelding with three stakes wins under his belt and the latter is one year his elder with eight stakes tallies, including last year’s Star Guitar, to his name.

The Louisiana breds have never competed against one another but given their impressive track records, it was only before they met on the big stage.

At 4-5, Touchuponstar opens with an advantage over 5-2 Jackhammer.