Four Louisiana Derby Runners to Try Kentucky Derby

It's been nearly six weeks since Noble Indy won a race.

Of course, Noble Indy also hasn't lost a race during that time, but somehow his gutsy score in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots seems like ancient history.

Perhaps that's in part because of spectacular performances that followed from Mendelssohn and Justify, not to mention his own stablemates—Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner Audible, Arkansas Derby (G1) victor Magnum Moon, and Wood Memorial Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G2) winner Vino Rosso.

Still, with three wins in four starts—his only blemish a third-place finish in the Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Ford (G2)—this year's Louisiana Derby winner is 30-1 on the morning line for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Trainer Todd Pletcher suspects the layoff may be why Noble Indy is flying under the radar, but he is well aware of the talents of the son of Take Charge Indy.

"I guess, maybe because the Louisiana Derby was six weeks before the Kentucky Derby," Pletcher offered as the reason Noble Indy isn't getting much attention. "But he's put together a very strong résumé, and he's lightly raced. He's very talented as well."

In the Louisiana Derby, WinStar Farm and Repole Stable's Noble Indy defeated three Kentucky Derby entrants. Lone Sailor battled him to the wire before finishing a neck back in second, My Boy Jack came in third after racing wide, and Risen Star winner Bravazo finished eighth after also racing wide. Those four will try to become the first Louisiana Derby runner since Funny Cide in 2003 to win the Kentucky Derby.

WINCZE HUGHES: Noble Indy Takes Louisiana Derby

While this spring has seen its share of dominating victories, Pletcher noted there's something to be said for the toughness of Noble Indy. He found a way to win in a race where he hit the gate and bumped with a rival early, opened a clear lead, lost the lead to Lone Sailor in early stretch, then fought back to victory.

"I was proud of him for doing that. And I don't think you see too many horses, regardless of how much experience they have, that can get passed a neck or half a length and then re-engage and fight back," Pletcher said. "I thought it showed a lot of courage on his part, and he's a horse that's sort of flying under the radar a little bit at the moment."

The top effort by Noble Indy denied what would have been a popular victory for G M B Racing's Lone Sailor and Fair Grounds-based trainer Tom Amoss. The Louisiana Derby came just nine days after the death of co-owner Tom Benson, who raced horses with his wife, Gayle, and owned the New Orleans Saints of the NFL and New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA.

Like many, Amoss believes this is a particularly strong Derby field.

"We're in a great position,"Amoss said. "We know he needs to improve, but he showed us in the Louisiana Derby he belongs."

There have been signs Lone Sailor is improving. The son of Majestic Warrior has worked three times at Churchill Downs since the Louisiana Derby, including a five-furlong move in :57 3/5 April 19 that not only earned the bullet, it sent veteran Churchill clocker John Nichols digging through his records.

"The last horse I can recall going that fast was Hard Spun  on April 30, 2007, when he went :57 3/5 with opening splits of :22 and (:33 2/5) before running second in the Derby," Nichols said in a Churchill Downs report.

After the Louisiana Derby, My Boy Jack punched his ticket to Louisville with a rallying victory in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3). He previously won the Southwest Stakes (G3). Bravazo will look to return to the form that saw him win an optional-claiming allowance race at Oaklawn Park ahead of his Risen Star score.