As far as Kentucky Derby prep races are concerned, there aren’t many older than the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.

The historic race dates back to 1894, which makes the Louisiana Derby almost as old as the Kentucky Derby itself.

The conditions of the Louisiana Derby have varied widely through the years. It’s been held over four different distances, most recently shifting to 1 3⁄16 miles in 2020.

The purse has risen from a few thousand dollars all the way up to $1 million beginning in 2011.

And along the way, the race has been won by some unforgettable horses.

The first Louisiana Derby Winner of note was BLACK GOLD in 1924, who followed his success at Fair Grounds with a tenacious half-length Victory in the Run For The Roses.

Subsequently, the Louisiana Derby suffered an extended drought, failing to produce another Derby Winner until 1996 when GRINDSTONE Won both the Louisiana Derby and KD.

Upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2 status in 1999, the Louisiana Derby has continued to produce a steady stream of high-profile horses.

Fan favorite FUNNY CIDE used a losing effort in the Louisiana Derby as an impetus to Victory in the 2003 Kentucky Derby.

Both COUNTRY HOUSE in 2019 and MANDALOUN in 2021 lost in the Louisiana Derby but bounced back to take the Kentucky Derby.

A lucrative Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race- the Louisiana Derby offers qualification points to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis.

The points as well as the million dollar purse has cemented the Louisiana Derby’s position as a key steppingstone toward the first Saturday in May.

During the 2010s, the Louisiana Derby churned out 29 Kentucky Derby starters (averaging nearly three per year), including 2013 Belmont Stakes Winner PALACE MALACE, 2017 Horse of the Year GUN RUNNER and 2019 Preakness Winner WAR OF WILL.

The 112th edition of the Louisiana Derby is Saturday at Fairgrounds.