all in The Sport

Did a racehorse have a better friend?

At 4 feet, 11 inches tall and 98 pounds, it didn’t look like Bill Shoemaker could muscle a few sacks of groceries, let alone control a head-strong Thoroughbred a dozen times his weight.

Still, Shoemaker personified that mysterious bond between horse and rider. He communicated with an innate light touch on the reins, coaxing the horse into the action, gentling it with his hands.

Saturday, Fair Grounds hosts its fourth and final qualifying points race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve as 10 3-year-olds were entered up to contest the $1 million, Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby.

Welcome to Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, where we take a look each week at a recent winner on the Road to the Derby schedule that offers qualifying points for the 1 ¼-mile classic race May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs.

Fair Grounds’ path to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve reaches its end Saturday with the $1 million, Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. The field will travel 1 3/16 miles on dirt in this race, making the Louisiana Derby the longest U.S. Kentucky Derby prep.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ entrant in the March 15 Virginia Derby delivered a career-best effort to finish 7 3/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Render Judgment, setting a track record for 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at Colonial Downs.

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