On March 23rd, 2024, the spotlight turns once more to the Fair Grounds Race Course for the 2024 Lousiana Derby. It's not just a race; it's history in motion. Join us as the finest three-year-old thoroughbreds take on the challenge, aiming to etch their names alongside legends.
The Louisiana Derby, a hallmark in American Thoroughbred history, echoes the hoofbeats of tradition dating back to the spring of 1838. Once known as the "Louisiana Plate," this race has evolved, carved its place in history, and today stands as a vital stage on the famed Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Originally hosted at the "Louisiana Race Course," now the Fair Grounds Race Course, this event has weathered the tides of time and name changes. From the Crescent City Derby to its present avatar, it's a testament to resilience and dedication.
Few races boast a pedigree like the Louisiana Derby. Names like Black Gold in 1924 and Grindstone in 1996 left their mark here before conquering the illustrious Kentucky Derby. Risen Star, the 1988 victor, etched his place as a "Dual Classic Winner," triumphing in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Witnessing alterations in distance over the years, from a mile in its inception to varying stretches like 1 1/8 miles, 1 1/16 miles, and now, as of 2020, finding its footing at 1 3/16 miles, each shift marks a chapter in its evolution.
