Things follow plan for Kingsbarns in Louisiana Derby

In only the third race of his career, Kingsbarns won the 110th Louisiana Derby on Saturday evening at the Fair Grounds for the third win of his career.

The 3-year-old with 6-1 odds, steered by jockey Flavien Prat, jumped out of the gates, took the lead and never relinquished it, despite an early push from third-place finisher Jace’s Road (12-1) and a late one from second-place Disarm (10-1). At the end of the 1 3/16-mile race, Kingsbarns had won by four lengths.

“He was able to get himself into the lead right away,” Prat said. “And from that, we were able to get a pretty soft pace, and he was really comfortable, in a good rhythm, breathing well. And he really extended himself and sprinted really well.”

With the victory in the $1 million Grade II race, Kingsbarns earned 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. His trainer, Todd Pletcher, picked up his fifth Louisiana Derby win and his first since 2015, when he won with Noble Indy. His horses also won the 2007, 2010 and 2013 derbies.

"It appeared on paper that there was not a lot of pace,” Pletcher said, “so we drew up a plan with (Prat) that if we came away in good order to be placed forward and hopefully dictate the race on our terms.

"It was a lot to ask to go to a graded stakes going 1 3/16 for the first time in his third career start. We gave up a lot of seasoning, and he responded in a big way. We'll get him back to Palm Beach Downs and assess, but we're planning for him to be one of our ones in the Kentucky Derby."

Instant Coffee and trainer Brad Cox were the 6-5 favorite after a strong showing in the Lecomte Stakes, a Louisiana Derby prep race. But he eased up and finished sixth. Cox did, however, trained Jace’s Road to the third-place finish. Disarm, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Joel Rosario, finished second.

After the ride, Prat emerged without a single splotch of mud on his silks. That’s largely because it was a slow and steady race. The field of horses didn’t bring much speed. Instead, Kingsbarns showcased his stamina and his breakaway speed for his sprint down the final furlong.

“I think he has a great confidence today,” Prat said, “and that’s what everybody was looking for, and he delivered. So obviously, we feel like the Kentucky Derby this year is going to be open, and I think he has every chance to win the race.”