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.
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.
Up to 20 lightly raced 3-year-old Thoroughbreds get loaded into the starting gate with somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 fans (many well-lubricated) whipped into a frenzy. Approximately two minutes after the horses begin the cavalry charge down the stretch for the first time, a new Kentucky Derby winner is feted in the winner’s circle.
The first edition of the 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings is led by Japanese star 4-year-old Forever Young, who was awarded a 128 rating for his scintillating victory over Romantic Warrior in the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
