Tom Pedulla offers five takeaways from the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks as well as other major weekend developments.

ROLLING ALONG: Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox continued his rousing Derby prep season when Catching Freedom, last of 11 through three-quarters of a mile, launched a determined rally to win the Louisiana Derby by one length over Honor Marie. The impressive comeback vaulted Albaugh Family Stables’ Catching Freedom to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 125 points and gave Cox four horses in the top 23. The others are Timberlake (fifth, 66 points), Just a Touch (19th, 25 points) and Encino (23rd, 20 points). The Louisville native is set to start highly-regarded Timberlake in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby Saturday at Oaklawn Park. He will attempt to become the first trainer to sweep three consecutive editions of the last of Oaklawn Park’s major preps. He previously succeeded with Cyberknife in 2022 and Angel of Empire in 2023.

Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Endlessly (Coady Photography)

BEST TO COME?: Amerman Racing homebred Endlessly began his career with three wins in as many starts on turf before tasting defeat for the first time at the Breeders' Cup World Championships. He made it 2-for-2 on all-weather surfaces when he unleashed an explosive move to dominate the Jeff Ruby Steaks by four lengths for trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli on Saturday. Although he has more than enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, the connections are expected to pass on that race. McCarthy thinks the son of turf standout Oscar Performance will ultimately do his best running on grass despite suffering his lone defeat in the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, where he finished eighth in his fourth career start. “This was a really solid effort. But I think his best days down the road are on turf,” said McCarthy, adding, “He’s a very nice colt and mentally has handled everything in stride. I think he has a very bright future ahead of him and he’s already very accomplished in his young career.”

LONG TIME COMING: Almost five decades after he left his native Bahamas and arrived in the United States with the dream of training a horse good enough to reach the Kentucky Derby, Larry Demeritte has the right horse. West Saratoga secured his Derby berth when he edged Seize the Grey by a head for second place in the Jeff Ruby. Steaks That gave him 67 qualifying points, which will be more than enough. Demeritte said West Saratoga, an $11,000 purchase for owner Harry Veruchi, was at perhaps 90% for the Jeff Ruby as he kept an unwavering eye on the greatest prize. “I use each race as a steppingstone because I know to get into the Kentucky Derby, you can’t be ready in January,” Demeritte said, adding, “If you look at each one of his races, he always improves off of it.”

Fierceness (Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire)

TOUGH DRAW: Everyone knows 2-year-old champion Fierceness is good. He ran his competition off its feet in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. But is he lucky? He got pinched back at the start when he finished a disappointing third in the Feb. 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park and then was most unfortunate in drawing post-position 10 of 11 for Saturday’s $1 million Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher knows very well that an outside position can be overcome because his Forte accomplished that after breaking from post 11 last year. He knows Fierceness’ fortunes, with John Velazquez aboard, could be decided in the short run to the first turn. “Everybody knows Gulfstream’s two-turn races are very tricky and I think that’s why the start is so important,” Pletcher said. Fierceness is listed as the 8-5 favorite in the morning line.

ONE TO WATCH: Tuscan Gold showed ample talent in finishing third in the Louisiana Derby for trainer Chad Brown and jockey Tyler Gaffalione. The result was impressive in that the Medaglia d’Oro colt maintained a perfect stalking position throughout, kept on well in the 1 3/16-mile contest, and displayed a strong will in edging battle-tested Track Phantom for the show position. Tuscan Gold has always been well regarded, as evidenced by his $600,000 price tag at Keeneland’s 2022 September yearling sale. He is owned by William Lawrence and Walmac Farm with breeder Stonestreet Stable staying in for a percentage. They appear to be looking at a bright future with this 3-year-old. He broke his maiden at second asking on Jan. 31 at Gulfstream Park. While he showed inexperience, there was a ton to like about the first graded-stakes try.