Bet on the Louisiana Derby
The Louisiana Derby is a tradition-rich race that originated in 1894 when it was called the Crescent City Derby. The Grade II race held at Fair Grounds in late March is restricted to three year-olds and is run five weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby for a purse of 1 million dollars. The race annually features top Kentucky Derby hopefuls with the winner frequently emerging as one of the top morning line choices for the big race held on the first Saturday in May.
Louisiana Derby Racebook
Betting a great race like the Louisiana Derby becomes an even better wagering experience when bettors pick the right racebook. We’ve studied the rebates, sign-up bonuses, and wagering platforms offered by each of these major racebooks listed below.
| # | Site | DEPOSIT BONUS AND CASH BACK | SITE LINK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  | $250 Free Bet on Props + Head-to-Heads | BET! | |
| #2 |  | 50% up to $1,000 + $25 Risk Free Bet + 7% Rebates | BET! | |
| #3 |  | Up to 13% Weekly Loyalty Rewards | BET! |
* REMINDER! - you must be of legal age in your state or province to legally wager on thoroughbred or harness horse racing. Please bet responsibly!
Louisiana Derby Betting Odds
Win or lose, Bovada sweetens the deal by issuing weekly rebates for all your plays. Straight wagers like win, place, and show receive a 3% rebate, and you’ll earn a whopping 5% rebate on all exotic wagers. Bovada also offers a generous 50% sign-up bonus for all new users up to $250 for use on prop and head to head bets.
2016 Louisiana Derby Contenders
In what looks to be one of the most competitive races for points and spot in the startinng gate in the 2016 Kentucky Derby, a strong group of familiar foes are expected to go ot the gate for the 2016 Louisiana Derby, led by moring line favorite Mo Tom (5-2). running a close third in his latest, the Tom Amoss trainee has a win at Fair Grounds two back in the (G3) Lecomte, and an overall record of 3 wins in 6 lifetime starts. Breaking from the #1 post is the recent winner of the (G2) Risen Star in Gun Runner (3-1), while right next to him will be a Grade 1 winner Greenpointcrusader, who comes into this off a solid runner-up finish behind current Kentucky Derby points leader Mohaymen in the (G2) Holy Bull. Looking for the upset is Dazzling Gem (12-1) unbeaten so far in two career starts, and the Todd Pletcher-trained Battery (10-1), who has two wins and second this spring in Florida, but who will making his stakes racing debut.
Entries and ML Odds
1) Gun Runer (3-1)
2) Greenpointcrusader (7-2)
3) Battery (10-1)
4) Conquest Windycity (15-1)
5) Candy My Boy (15-1)
6) Mo Tom (5-2)
7) Tom’s Ready (15-1)
8) Uncle Walter (20-1)
9) Dazzling Gem (12-1)
10) Zapperini (20-1)
11) Forevamo (10-1)
Louisiana Derby History and Facts
Both the distance and timing of the Louisiana Derby make it an ideal prep race for the Kentucky Derby. After the 2009 edition of the race, the distance was changed from a mile and one sixteenth to a mile and an eighth with many horseman and bettors favoring the added distance feeling that it provides a better projection for a horse preparing for the Kentucky Derby’s demanding distance of a mile and a quarter. Friesan Fire was the last winner at the mile and one sixteenth distance. He entered the Kentucky Derby as the 7/2 favorite before finishing a disappointing 18th for trainer Larry Jones.
Despite the Louisiana Derby’s reputation as an elite Kentucky Derby prep, just two winners have gone on to wear the roses – Black Gold in 1924 and Grindstone in 1996. Perhaps the most notable Louisiana Derby champion is Risen Star who won the 1988 running before going on to win the Preakness and Belmont stakes. The Risen Star Stakes held at Fair Grounds in February serves as a prep race for the Louisiana Derby. Not surprisingly, trainer Todd Pletcher has saddled three winners of the Louisiana Derby since 2007. Steve Asmussen is the only other trainer with multiple winners in the new millennium.