Meet the Contenders: 2023 Louisiana Derby

Meet the horses running in the 2023 Louisiana Derby over 1 3/16 miles on dirt at Fair Grounds in Louisiana. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well in the Louisiana Derby field.

1. SHOPPER’S REVENGE

Pro: Son of Tapit and BC Distaff (G1) winner bred to a nice one with maturity.

Con: Beaten in a not-especially-fast allowance at Oaklawn most recently.

2. INSTANT COFFEE

Pro: Enters with best credentials having won Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), Lecomte (G3).

Con: Faces a potential slow pace scenario unless he gets help from stablemate Jace’s Road.

3. CURLY JACK

Pro: Second to Instant Coffee two back and capable of better than what he showed last time.

Con: Never was in contention in Risen Star (G2) and seemingly a cut or two below.

4. SUN THUNDER

Pro: Rallied nicely in Risen Star, though run down late after making the lead.

Con: Pace scenario potentially unfavorable for him and other closers.

5. DISARM

Pro: Decent try in return from 6 1/2-month layoff; bred to go farther.

Con: Lacks stakes experience and will need to improve a few lengths in a hurry.

6. KINGSBARNS

Pro: Has looked good in both starts so far and barn has won this race four times.

Con: Wasn’t beating much in Tampa allowance and will be more severely tested here.

7. CAGLIOSTRO

Pro: Strong second in Risen Star Day allowance that was relatively fast.

Con: A possible candidate to bounce off such a significant step forward last time.

8. SINGLE RULER

Pro: Outran expectations when fifth in Risen Star, though never a serious factor.

Con: Doesn’t appear fast enough on paper and might be better suited to allowance company.

9. TAPIT’S CONQUEST

Pro: Rallied wide for fourth in Risen Star and sure to improve as distances lengthen.

Con: Seemingly less versatile and more of a grinding type than stablemate Instant Coffee.

10. DENINGTON

Pro: Upset allowance win last month compares favorably with Risen Star on same card.

Con: No major excuses for recent stakes losses by significant margins.

11. JACE’S ROAD

Pro: One of the few with early foot and likely avoids dreaded slop here.

Con: Form lines don’t quite stack up nor do speed figures aside from Gun Runner Stakes.

12. BASELINE BEATER

Pro: Deep closer only just broke maiden and will be at mercy of the pace.

Con: The least attractive entry on paper and would need race to completely full apart.

Meet the Contenders of the Jeff Ruby Steaks here

Meet the Contenders of the UAE Derby here

Meet the Contenders of the Sunland Derby here