Louisiana Derby Expert Horse Racing Picks and Analysis for Saturday 3/23/24

FanDuel TV racing analyst Christina Blacker breaks down the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds on Saturday, March 23rd.

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As always, check the program for scratches and changes, monitor the weather and keep an eye on the track conditions.

We also reference Equibase Speed Figure when needed for selected races in order to inform how fast a horse has been running in each of its races after adjusting for track, distance, and conditions.

Louisiana Derby Odds

Louisiana Derby Picks to Monitor

Hall of Fame

Morning Line Odds: 8/1

Disappointed last race with a 7th-place finish and 85 Speed Score to follow up a win and a 97 in January.

Catching Freedom

Morning Line Odds: 4/1

Improving with each race and has Speed Scores of 85, 88, 97, and 96 in four starts with the most recent leading to a 3rd at the Risen Star Stakes on February 17th.

Next Level

Morning Line Odds: 30/1

Trainer Keith Desormeaux has had success with long shots in the past. Next Level most recently finished 8th at Rebel Stakes on February 24th with an 84 Speed Score.

Real Men Violin

Morning Line Odds: 20/1

Last race: 8th at Risen Star Stakes on February 17th with an 80 Speed Score figure. Prior to that, 91, 83, 94, and 95 Speed Scores and six straight top-three finishes in total.

Common Defense

Morning Line Odds: 6/1

Christina's top choice. Showed promise in Rebel Stakes with 102 Speed Score despite finishing 2nd.

Track Phantom

Morning Line Odds: 3/1

Class of the field with Joel Rosario riding. Has five straight races with Speed Score of at least 93 and is yet to finish lower than 3rd in any of six starts. Half of those were wins.

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