Louisiana
Louisiana Derby 2025 Odds, Field And Picks On The Road To The Kentucky Derby
Louisiana Derby coverage from the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Alexander … More
Copyright 2011 AP. All rights reserved.
The races start getting bigger on the Road to the Kentucky Derby starting with Saturday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby. The 10 entries in the Grade 2 race at 1 3/16 miles headlines a big 12-race card with eight stakes races at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. The Louisiana Derby is a Championship Series race that will award 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points to the top five finishers with the winner and runner-up securing a spot in the starting gate May 3 for the $5 million Kentucky Derby if not otherwise qualified.
The 112th running of the Louisiana Derby is Race 12 at 6:42 p.m. ET. Race 11 is the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) for 3-year-old fillies with the same qualifying points awarded towards the May 2 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.
Louisiana Derby Field, Odds And Picks
The Louisiana Derby is worth watching, as 44 starters in both the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby have run in the Kentucky Derby since 2013. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers from this year’s Risen Star Stakes are running in the Louisiana Derby – Chunk of Gold (8/1), Built (4/1) and Vassimo (12/1). They will try to beat the race favorite John Hancock (7/2), who is 2-for-2 and makes his first start outside of Florida.
Horse Racing Nation’s Super Screener likes win contenders Built, John Hancock and Caldera (5/1), who has moved forward in each of his three races and finished a close 2nd in the Sunland Derby last month for legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Caldera lost by a nose to Kentucky Derby contender Getaway Car.
But as you watch and wager on the races, know that only two winners of the Louisiana Derby have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby: Black Gold in 1924, and Grindstone in 1996. The 1988 Louisiana Derby winner, Risen Star, went on to become a “Dual Classic Winner” by winning the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Howerver, 4th place Louisiana Derby finisher Country House won the controversial 2019 Kentucky Derby at longshot odds of 65/1.
Another major prep race Saturday offering 100 Derby points to the winner is the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. Horse Racing Nation top win contenders include #6 Baby Max (7/2) and #12 He’s Not Joking (20/1), also a top longshot.
How To Watch And Wager On The Louisiana Derby
Along with wagering on the biggest races at FanDuel Racing, horse racing fans can tune into FanDuelTV for live on-site coverage of the two major Derby preps at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park. CNBC’s Road to the Kentucky Derby coverage also has live coverage of the two big races from 6-7 p.m. ET on Sat., March 22 while also streaming on Peacock.
Both races are part of the “Bayou Bluegrass 5,” with an estimated $1 million guaranteed all-graded stakes Pick 5. It starts with Race 8 for older horses at the Fair Grounds in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic featuring Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone, the heavy 7/5 ace favorite.
Fair Grounds Oaks Picks
If you would like to see the Kentucky Oaks favorite run one final time, then tune into the Fair Grounds Oaks Saturday. Both Horse Racing Nation and FanDuel Racing project Good Cheer (6/5) to win her sixth straight race to start her career. Good Cheer “clearly possesses the highest Super Screener Energy Reserve Index Score in this field,” according to Horse Racing Nation.
More horse racing, live betting and handicapping including the National Horseplayers Championship which was last weekend in Las Vegas. Now horse players are prepping for the biggest races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with the Run for the Roses less than six weeks away.
You can bet on it.
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Louisiana
Louisiana Small Business Development Center’s director shares about impact on local economy
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The Louisiana Small Business Development Center is an organization that provides resources for those looking to get into the business world.
Virendra Chhikara says starting a small business is not easy, but the LSBDC works to help businesses overcome the challenges they may face.
“When you start a business or you’re growing a business, you’re looking for blind spots, so you do not know those areas where you will fumble. When you’re running a business, you are handling too many things, the service the Louisiana Small Business Development Center provides, helps you to understand or navigate through those challenges,” says Chhikara.
There are several success stories from businesses who have used the LSBDC’s services. Chhikara says when small businesses are successful, they have a positive impact on the local economy.
“The biggest impact is wonderful when there are jobs created, when a business starts, when there is more capital infusion into the local economy through expansion,” says Chhikara.
Chhikara says those expansions include a local Zaxby’s franchise.
With technology advancing quickly, Chhikara says it can be difficult for small businesses to adapt, but it is not something that should be neglected.
“One of the biggest challenges in this community is adapting or adopting technology. The world is changing at a fast pace. If you have seen, AI is being integrated into the workforce, into businesses, and you cannot just say, ‘Oh, I will change when the time comes.’ No, this is the time—you have to change now,” says Chhikara.
If you would like to use the LSBDC for your small business, Chhikara says you can visit the organization’s website to make an appointment.
Copyright 2025 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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