Super Derby Field Taking Shape

A potential field of eight is taking shape for Louisiana Downs' Super Derby XXIII (gr. II), to be run Sept. 21. For the first time the race will be run at 1 1/8 miles instead of the traditional classic distance of 1 1/4 miles. The field for the $500,000 race will be drawn Thursday.

Horses confirmed for the Super Derby are The Judge Sez Who, Private Emblem, A.P. Five Hundred, Thunder Days, and Glitzi's Classic. Essence of Dubai, De Real Deal, and Chop Chop are possible starters.

Dick Simon's The Judge Sez Who comes into the race off a victory in the Oklahoma Derby (gr. III) at Remington Park. Trainer Milton Wolfson has named Eibar Coa to ride the son of Judge T C. Earlier this year, The Judge Sez Who finished second in the West Virginia Derby (gr. III) and third in the Ohio Derby (gr. II).

Private Emblem, winner of the Arkansas Derby (gr. II), has been facing New York-breds in his last three starts for trainer Steve Asmussen. The Our Emblem colt, owned by Bob Zollaras and James Cassels, has only been off the board once, that coming in the Kentucky Derby (gr .I).

A.P. Five Hundred will make only his sixth career start in the Super Derby for trainer Niall O'Callaghan. Third in the Oklahoma Derby, A.P. Five Hundred will be ridden by Robby Albarado. Thunder Days, trained by Ronny Werner, is coming off a closing third-place effort in a Saratoga allowance race following a long layoff. Dr. Glen Warren's Glitzi's Classic is the local hope, having won the Prelude Stakes for trainer Andrew Leggio Jr.