Everything in the sports world is canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Louisiana Derby is still on. The first of the three big prep races for the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, March 21, with a 5:49 p.m. EST post time. It will air on NBC Sports.
On March 20, the Louisiana State Racing Commission held an emergency public meeting to address the “COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on licensed tracks and training facilities and to issue all emergency orders necessary to protect the health and welfare of all license holders.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was determined the Louisiana Derby would go on as scheduled.
As tracks across the country close amid COVID-19 concerns, the Louisiana Derby will run without spectators in attendance as previously planned.
The winner of the Louisiana Derby earns a guaranteed spot in the Kentucky Derby, which was moved to Sept. 5.
How to place Louisiana Derby wagers in PA
When it comes to placing bets on horse racing, PABets is the way to go. PABets is the Pennsylvania arm of online racebook TVG and allows you to wager online or on the app. Since most Pennsylvanians are staying home this weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s the only way to wager on the Louisiana Derby and other races.
PABets has a combination of live-streamed horse races from over 300 tracks worldwide and an online betting service that allows you to wager on the action legally.
After signing up at our links here, you’ll receive a risk-free bet of up to $200 when you make your first deposit. If you lose your bet, you’ll get refunded in the form of a free bet bonus. The bonus must be used within 30 days of the conclusion of the race.
To get started at TVG:
- Create an account: Provide your name, address, email, phone number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. Create a user name and password for your account.
- Deposit funds and get free money: When you use the links on this page, you can take advantage of free money bonuses. Deposit options at TVG include credit or debit card, ACH (e-check), PayPal, PayNearMe, MoneyPak, TeleCheck or TVG prepaid card. Withdrawing funds is similar to deposit.
Conditions for the Louisiana Derby
The 107th running of the Louisiana Derby (G2) features a field of 14 3-year-olds running 1 3/16 miles on dirt. The purse is $1 million, with $640,000 going to the winner. It also awards “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points to the top four finishers.
It may be a sloppy track on Saturday at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. The Weather.com forecast predicts likely thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening with an 80% chance of precipitation.
2020 Louisiana Derby odds
Here’s a look at the current odds:
| 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. Box |
| 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 |
The favorites
Last year in the Louisiana Derby, By My Standards (22-1) pulled off an upset. The favorite, War of Will, didn’t even hit the board.
Favorites in this year’s Louisiana Derby include Enforceable (7-2), Silver State (6-1) and Modernist (6-1). Enforceable will be ridden by Julien Leparoux, the jockey pictured in the lead image.
“Fairway Jay” at The Lines offers a full analysis of the field. See our guide for more on horse betting in PA.
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