Chip Honcho seeks to make the definitive leap in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds

Following his great performance in the Risen Star, the Steven Asmussen trainee appears well-positioned heading toward Churchill Downs in this demanding test

Chip Honcho winning the Lecomte Stakes / FAIR GROUNDS

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (Special to Turf Diario)—After coming close to one of the biggest winter upsets in the United States, Chip Honcho returns to the stage this Saturday with a clear mission: to confirm he is ready to fully enter the conversation on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1). It will be in the Louisiana Derby (G2), over the demanding 1,900 meters at Fair Grounds, a key stop on the path to the great event at Churchill Downs.

In his last outing, the son of Connect left a more than interesting impression by leading for much of the Risen Star Stakes (G2), only falling in the final strides to the favorite Paladin (Gun Runner), who later opted to wait for the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. That performance, however, positioned Chip Honcho as one of the names to watch within his generation.

With 39 points already accumulated in the qualifying system, the Steven Asmussen representative appears in an excellent position: earning even a small amount of units could secure him a spot in the Derby gates. And the context is ideal, because the Louisiana Derby, along with the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), inaugurates the decisive stretch of the calendar, offering 200 points (100-50-25-15-10) to the top five finishers.

Paladin will not be in the field, but one of his stablemates will: Emerging Market, undefeated in one start and winner on his debut at Tampa Bay Downs. Trained by Chad Brown and with Flavien Prat aboard, the son of the Argentine star Candy Ride appears as one of the most dangerous rivals, especially given the room for improvement he may show.

For Chip Honcho, the strategy seems clear. With Luis Sáez back in the irons, everything indicates he will again attempt to set the terms from the start, just as he did in the Risen Star.

The uncertainty, however, remains the distance. He has already shown some vulnerability at the end of long races, such as in the Risen Star itself or previously in the Lecomte (G3), which leaves open the question regarding his stamina over 1,900 meters—the longest distance so far in the qualifying process.

Behind them, the field is completed by names that have already shown their level. Pavlovian (Pavel), winner of the Sunland Derby (L); Golden Tempo (Curlin), winner of the Lecomte and now adding blinkers seeking to focus; and Universe (Global Campaign), a group placer, will all attempt to take a step forward. Joining them are Blacksmith(Liam's Map) —from the Bob Baffert squad— Spirit of Royal (Global Campaign), Autobahn (Nyquist), and Easterly (Uncle Mo), in a balanced field where any improvement could be decisive.

For Asmussen, who has already won the Louisiana Derby on five occasions, the race represents a new opportunity to project a figure toward the first Saturday in May. For Chip Honcho, on the other hand, it is something more: the chance to stop being a prospect and become a reality.

On Saturday, at Fair Grounds, he will have his say. And the dream of Churchill Downs, ever closer, begins to take shape.