John Hancock Aims to Maintain Undefeated Record in Louisiana Derby, Facing Nine Rivals

The son of Constitution recently won the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and Is a top contender for saturday's big race at Fair Grounds

John Hancock Wins the Tampa Bay Derby / TAMPA BAY DOWNS

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (Special to Turf Diario) – An exciting day is in store this Saturday at Fair Grounds, with the highlight reserved for the finale – a new edition of the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2-1900 m, dirt, US$ 1,000,000), one of the key races on the road to the increasingly closer Kentucky Derby (G1).

With 10 confirmed entries, the race offers John Hancock the chance to validate everything he has shown so far, putting his undefeated record on the line against a group of rising rivals all aiming for the same goal: reaching the first Saturday in May.

The son of Constitution, trained by Brad Cox for the partnership of China Horse Club Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC, won on debut at Tampa before claiming the Sam F. Davis Stakes (L) at the same track, defeating Owen Almighty (Speightstown), who would go on to take the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in strong form.

With Flavien Prat aboard, John Hancock is the morning-line favorite at 7/2, ahead of Built (Hard Spun), a Wayne Catalano trainee owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who will be ridden by José Ortiz. A winner of the Gun Runner Stakes (L) here, Built was second in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and third in the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes (G2), showcasing his consistency.

The great D. Wayne Lukas is hoping for another Classic win with Caldera (Liam’s Map), bred by Don Alberto and owned by MyRacehorse. The grey colt is on the rise, breaking his maiden at Oaklawn Park before a promising second-place finish in the Sunland Park Derby (L).

Cox will have another entry in the Louisiana Derby with Instant Replay (Maximum Security), who comes in off a strong allowance win and now takes the step up. Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) and Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) are looking to surprise in the mix, which also includes Yinzer (Twirling Candy), Vassimo (Nyquist), Furlo (McKinzie), and Hypnus(Into Mischief).