Road To The Kentucky Derby: Top Championship Series Races Start With Louisiana Derby

Louisiana Derby Betting Guide: Post Positions, Odds, And How To Bet Online

While the sports world and major sports remain on hiatus as the U.S. and other countries deal with the COVID-19 health crisis, horse racing offers some relief with entertainment, betting and beauty as the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds compete in the major Championship Series races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. That includes Saturday’s Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds.

This weekend offers one race as the 107th running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby awards 100 Derby points to the winner and a spot in the starting gate for the rescheduled Kentucky Derby (Sept. 5). The final major Derby prep was also rescheduled today when the Arkansas Derby was moved to May 2nd with a purse reduction to $750,000. Expect the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct to announce the rescheduling of the April 4 race with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting workers at the racetrack.

I provide a Louisiana Derby Betting Guide in my recent update at TheLines. The race is available to bet on through online platforms like TVG and Twinspires, the sponsor of the race. Churchill Downs owns the Fair Grounds Race Course. Check out the betting guide for racing information including TV times, post position and odds (below), leading contenders, betting strategies, insight and race history.

In support of Nevada and the temporary shutdown of the casino, gaming, sportsbooks and hospitality industry, I get in the saddle and support Silver State to win and cash in the money at the Louisiana Derby.

  • Date: Saturday, March 21, 2020
  • Race and Time: Race 12 at 5:49 ET
  • TV: 1:30-6:30 p.m. ET on FS1; 4-8 p.m. ET on NBCSN
  • Online and Mobile: NBC Sports App and streamed live on NBCsports.com/live and TVG
  • Track and Location: Fair Grounds, New Orleans
  • Distance: 1 3/16 miles on dirt
  • Field: 14 Thoroughbreds, 3-year-olds
  • Prize Pool: $1 million with $640,000 to winner
  • Road to the Kentucky Derby Points: 100-40-20-10 to top four finishers
Post Horse Opening Odds Jockey Trainer
1 Major Fed 8-1 J. Rosario G. Foley
2 Mailman Money 15-1 G. Saez W. Calhoun
3 Wells Bayou 8-1 F. Geroux B. Cox
4 Chestertown 15-1 J. Velazquez S. Asmussen
5 Social Afleet 50-1 A. Beschizza D. Stewart
6 Shake Some Action 15-1 C. Hernandez B. Cox
7 Sharecropper 20-1 M. Mena A. Stall Jr.
8 Royal Act 10-1 A. Cedillo P. Eurton
9 Portos 8-1 I. Ortiz Jr. T. Pletcher
10 Enforceable 7-2 J. Leparoux M. Casse
11 Ny Traffic 15-1 L. Saez S. Joseph Jr.
12 Lynn’s Map 30-1 T. Gaffalione M. Casse
13 Silver State 6-1 R. Santana Jr. S. Asmussen
14 Modernist 6-1 J. Alvarado W. Mott

A look at the Louisiana Derby by the numbers shows the 2020 edition is being run at a distance of 1 3/18 miles for the first time. The Sport of Kings is left standing as horse racing is one of the few sports to bet on with a history of fans support.

The Louisiana Derby fills a weekend wagering void during the sports shutdown, and I chip-in additional analysis and insight with the impact of COVID-19 in my article at Offshore Gaming Association.

Follow along with our Kentucky Derby Betting Guide as we cover the Road to the Kentucky Derby and major prep races offering 100 points to the winner and a spot in the starting gate for America’s most popular horse race, the Kentucky Derby.

(Banner Photo Credit: Churchill Downs/@FairGroundsNola)

Author: FairwayJay is a leading national sports betting analyst, writer, handicapper and sports betting insider providing insight and information you can bet on for nearly two decades from Las Vegas. He chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events for leading media and sports betting sites and companies. Follow him on X (Twitter): @FairwayJay