A field of nine 3-year-olds was entered Friday at Fair Grounds for the track's Louisiana Derby. The 11/6-mile race will be run Sunday and has a 4:10 post time (Central time). The two favorites in the $750,000 race figure to be Dollar Bill, who drew right in the middle, post five, and Millennium Wind, who will break from the seven hole. Pat Day will ride Dollar Bill while Chris McCarron flies in from California to pilot Millennium Wind for trainer David Hofmans. McCarron rode Dollar Bill when he won Fair Ground's Risen Star Stakes.
Favoritism may fall to Dollar Bill because Millennium Wind has been bothered by sore feet. Dollar Bill is trained by Dallas Stewart, as is another of the race's starters, Clutch Player. Hero's Tribute comes off an impressive allowance score at Gulfstream for trainer John Ward. The horse he beat that day, Dream Run, goes in Saturday's Florida Derby. A P Valentine was third in that race.
All nine of the Triple Crown hopefuls carries 122 pounds.
Post Position Horse Jockey
1. Gracie's Dancer, Jiminez
2. Hero's Tribute, Chavez
3. Clutch Player, Borel
4. Sam Lord's Castle, Albarado
5. Dollar Bill, Day
6. Unreal Party, Dominguez
7. Millennium Wind, McCarron
8. Fifty Stars, Meche
9. True Concern, Martin
