Who was the best horse to win the Louisiana Derby?

In honor of Saturday's Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, it's time to ask — who is the best Louisiana Derby winner in history?

Let's revisit these five all-star winners of Fair Grounds' flagship race, and let us know your pick!

Black Gold

Black Gold was already an 11-time winner before the 1924 Louisiana Derby.

He conceded between 9-13 pounds to every one of his foes, and had to handle a muddy track. No matter. Black Gold still won.

He won the Derby Trial by eight lengths, returned in the Kentucky Derby four days later, and drew the fence. He was pushed into the rail early. He was boxed inside. No matter. Black Gold fought through, ran down Bracadale, and outfinished Chilhowee to win by a half-length.

He went on to romp in the Ohio Derby and the Chicago Derby, as well.

Black Gold remains forever linked with Fair Grounds. He is buried in the infield, and after the Black Gold Stakes every winter, the winning jockey places a wreath at his grave.

Rushaway

Rushaway closed the 1936 Fair Grounds meet strongly, when he won the Louisiana Derby in a track record time of 1:50 4/5 for a mile and an eighth.

Less than two months later, Rushaway proved to be one of the toughest racehorses in history. On May 22, Rushaway rallied to win the Illinois Derby by 1 1/2 lengths for owner/trainer Alfred Tarn. He then took an overnight train from Aurora, Illinois to Latonia, Kentucky. On May 23, Rushaway loaded into the gate for the Latonia Derby. He won by six lengths.

Turfway Park still runs a stakes for three-year-olds called the Rushaway Stakes, on the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) undercard, in honor of the hickory gelding.

Risen Star

Risen Star is as much of a Louisiana icon that a horse bred outside the state can be and raced for charismatic trainer and co-owner Louie Roussel III.

He won the Louisiana Derby and the Lexington in 1988, before he moved on to Louisville.

Though he couldn't reel in Winning Colors in the Kentucky Derby, he turned the tables in the Preakness and won the Belmont by 14 3/4 lengths. Risen Star's final time of 2:26 2/5 in the Belmont was the fastest since his sire, Secretariat.

Risen Star lives on forever at Fair Grounds as the namesake for the local prep for the Louisiana Derby.

Grindstone

Grindstone, the 1996 winner of the Louisiana Derby, became the first horse since Black Gold to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Louisiana Derby.

He didn't go straight from the Louisiana Derby to the Kentucky Derby, as so many horses do now. He showed up in the Arkansas Derby, as well, where he finished second to Louisiana-bred Zarb's Magic, who turned the tables on Grindstone from Fair Grounds.

However, Grindstone's powerful late run carried the day at Churchill Downs. He powered home to win the Kentucky Derby by a nose, over Cavonnier, in what would be his final race.

Gun Runner

Gun Runner was a sensation on the Louisiana spur of the Kentucky Derby trail in 2016. He looked strong in both the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby before he headed to Louisville.

Though he ran third to Nyquist that day, he ran an excellent Kentucky, as he held third, even after he attended Danzing Candy's blazing-fast pace.

Gun Runner became a bona fide star at ages four and five. He won four Grade 1 races in 2017, including the Breeders' Cup Classic, and earned Horse of the Year. He finished his career with a confident triumph in the 2018 Pegasus World Cup.

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Previous week's poll Results

Last week, we asked for your favorite winter track to play. Though both Fair Grounds and Aqueduct got some significant love, most of you thought there was nothing like sunny weather and plentiful turf racing. Tampa Bay Downs ran away with 67% of the vote!