The Louisiana Derby (G2) is the marquee event of the spring racing season at Fair Grounds, and serves as a major steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Fair Grounds has a strong stakes program for three-year-olds looking to make it to the Kentucky Derby, with the Lecomte Stakes (G3) in January, and the Risen Star (G2) in February serving as prep races for the $1 million Louisiana Derby.

When looking to make your Louisiana Derby picks, look to the Lecomte and Risen Star for clues, as well as horses shipping in from Oaklawn Park.

The last three-year-old to win the Louisiana Derby and go on to win the Kentucky Derby was the D. Wayne Lukas trained Grindstone, who completed the feat in 1996.

In 2010, two horses used the race as their last prep for the Run for the Roses. The winner Pants On Fire checked in ninth in the Kentucky Derby, while Mucho Macho Man, who third in the Louisiana Derby finished third on the first Saturday of May.

Last year’s runner up Nehro came back to finish second in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Belmont Stakes.

In 2009, Mission Impazible returned $16.20 in winning the Louisiana Derby and returned to finish ninth in the Kentucky Derby.

Discreetly Mine, who won the Risen Star, was fourth in the Louisiana Derby and returned to finish a disappointing 13^th in Louisville

In 2008, Friesan Fire swept the Lecomte, Risen Star, and Louisiana Derby, and was sent off as the betting favorite in the Kentucky Derby, only to fade to finish a distant 18^th.

Recent Louisiana Derby Winners: