Golden Tempo, a promising three-year-old colt, will race with blinkers for the first time in Saturday’s $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course, trainer Cherie DeVaux confirmed. The move comes after the colt finished third in the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. On February 14th.
Owned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, Golden Tempo displayed impressive form in his first two starts, including a victory in the GIII Lecomte S. In January. However, in the Risen Star, he finished six lengths behind Paladin after making a late run from seventh place. DeVaux hopes the addition of blinkers will assist the colt secure a more favorable position early in the race.
“He made a really nice run in the Risen Star and just gave himself a lot to do,” DeVaux said. “We’re putting blinkers on him not to change his running style, but hopefully to receive him in a better position so he doesn’t have to create up so much ground. He’s got a really nice turn of foot, but I really just want to get him focused.”
The Louisiana Derby, a Championship Series event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offers 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points to the top five finishers. The 1 3/16-mile race is expected to feature a competitive field.
Chip Honcho, who finished second in the Risen Star after setting the pace, is slated to run again. Jockey Luis Saez believes the colt has the potential to improve. “He went fast to get to the front, but I had him on the lead where I wanted,” Saez said after the Risen Star. “He just got a little tired late. I feel like he’s going to be a really nice horse.” Trainer Steve Asmussen, a five-time Louisiana Derby winner, including with Tiztastic last year, will be looking for another victory.
Emerging Market, a ‘TDN Rising Star’ with a field-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure earned in a two-turn race at Tampa Bay Downs in February, will too compete. However, Powershift, who finished second to Emerging Market at Tampa, had a disappointing sixth-place finish in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby.
The Louisiana Derby Day card also includes the GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks, featuring a rematch between Bella Ballerina and Luv Your Neighbor, both ‘TDN Rising Stars’; the GII New Orleans Classic S., headlined by Louisiana-bred sensation Touchuponastar; and the GII Muniz Memorial Classic S.
At Turfway Park, Stark Contrast, the runner-up in last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, will make his synthetic track debut in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks, another Road to the Kentucky Derby points race. He will face competition from Fulleffort, who has been running well in recent starts.
Turfway’s card also includes the Bourbonette Oaks, a Kentucky Oaks qualifier, and the GIII TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic. Oaklawn Park will host the GIII Essex H., featuring GI Pegasus World Cup upsetter Skippylongstocking, whereas Santa Anita Park will run the GIII San Luis Rey S.
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