Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter uncorked a torrid rally down the middle of the track and captured the $1 million Twinspires Louisiana Derby (G1) in track record time Saturday at Fair Grounds.
The win mark the fifth on card for trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Joel Rosairo.
A 3-year-old Not This Time colt, Epicenter settled in third early then moved out and stormed down the lane, collaring pacesetter Zozos and shaking clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths.
Epicenter was timed in a track-record lowering time 1:54.38 for 1 3/16 miles.
Pioneer of Medina finished third
The Louisiana Derby had 170 points up for grabs by way of a 100-40-20-10 dispersal to the top four finishers. Epicenter had already secured his spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby (G1) entering Fair Grounds' centerpiece event with 64 points and now tops the leaderboard with 164 points.
Updated Kentucky Derby/Oaks leaderboard
Epicenter has flourished at Fair Grounds over the winter, winning the Gun Runner Stakes on December 26 in his final start as a 2-year-old before finishing second in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) Jan. 22, then posting an easy front-running victory Feb. 16 in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) in his start prior to the Louisiana Derby.
Asmussen and Winchell have won two previous Louisiana Derbys together, scoring in 2008 with Pyro and again with Gun Runner in 2016. Asmussen's first of three Louisiana Derby wins came with Fifty Stars in 2001.
The post Epicenter Storms To Track Record Win In Louisiana Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
