The Fair Grounds most important Kentucky Derby prep race happens this Saturday when the New Orleans based track runs the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. Earlier in the day, some of the best horses in the world contest the 1 ¼ miles distance of the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup. Check out more information about the Dubai World Cup, the Louisiana Derby, and 4 other terrific graded races on March 26. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, Mar. 26th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks March 21st Edition
Meydan Racecourse – Saturday, March 26
- Grade 2 UAE Derby – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year olds
Bob Baffert trained Pinehurst should be a prohibitive favorite. Other contenders include third-place Withers finisher Gilded Age from the Bill Mott barn, UAE 2000 Guineas winner Azure Coast, and Doug O’Neil trained Get Back Goldie.
- Grade 1 Dubai World Cup – 1 ¼ miles dirt – 4 year olds and up
This year’s Dubai World Cup is shaping up as the race of the year. Doug O’Neil trained Hot Rod Charlie, Pegasus World Cup winner Life Is Good, Steve Asmussen trained Midnight Bourbon, Country Grammar from the Bob Baffert barn, Aero Team, and well-regarded Chuwa Wizard should all enter. Life Is Good will go off the chalk. But this field is much deeper than what the Pletcher runner faced in the Pegasus WC. Expect a fantastic race.
Fair Grounds Racetrack – Saturday, March 26
- Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Classic – 1 1/8 miles turf – 4 year olds and up
Peacock Kitten, Chad Brown trained Sacred Life, Devamani, also from the Brown barn, and Cavalry Charge trained by Dallas Stewart should garner most of the action. If you’re looking for a longshot, take a long look at Grade 3 John B. Connally Turf Cup winner Another Mystery. Temple City, Another Mystery’s sire, produces terrific grass horses and the Jareth Loveberry runner should get lost in the betting.
- Grade 2 New Orleans Classic – 1 1/8 miles dirt – 4 year olds and up
Bill Mott trained Olympiad beat Promise Keeper in the Grade 3 Razorback. Promise Keeper, trained by Todd Pletcher, hopes to improve off the fourth place finish in the Razorback and turn the tables on Olympiad. Super Stock, Chess Chief, Happy American, and Proxy should also run.
- Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year old fillies
The 2022 Fair Grounds Oaks is all about Echo Zulu. Based on the fact Steve Asmussen has Epicenter as one of the highest rated 3-year-olds running, no matter what happens on Saturday, Echo Zulu won’t show up in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. Try to beat her if you must. But if you don’t want to try and beat her, there’s nothing wrong with sitting back, enjoying the race, and watching the brilliant filly do her thing.
- Grade 2 Louisiana Derby – 1 3/16 miles dirt – 3 year olds
Asmussen has the favorite in the Fair Grounds Oaks. He also has the favorite in the Louisiana Derby. Epicenter will be very difficult to beat. The Not This Time sired runner easily handled most of Saturday’s foes when winning the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes. Unless Brad Cox trained Zozos is everything some horseplayers are saying he is, Epicenter should easily handle the field.
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