95th Running of the Louisiana Derby March 8, 2008

First post is at 12:35pm, but the derby itself takes place later in the day.

The Louisiana Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. The race is open to horses, age three, willing to race 11/16 miles (8.5 furlongs) on the dirt. A Grade II event, it currently offers a purse of $600,000.

Raced at 1⅛ miles until 1988, two winners of the Louisiana Derby have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby: Black Gold in 1924, and Grindstone in 1996. The 1988 winner, Risen Star went on to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Official Website: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=3276742