Discreetly Mine heads baker's dozen in Louisiana Derby

The fractions might be more lively this

time with the likes of WOW WOW WOW (Broken Vow) and THE PROGRAM (Harlan's

Holiday) in the mix. The latter is trained by Bob Baffert, who already has

prominent classic candidates Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) and Conveyance

(Indian Charlie), and enters off respectable minor placings in the Sham S. (G3)

and CashCall Futurity (G1).

Among those invading from Florida are A LITTLE WARM (Stormin Fever), who took

the Spectacular Bid by 1 1/2 lengths prior to a second to D' Funnybone (D'wildcat)

in the Hutcheson S. (G2). The Tony Dutrow charge, listed at 4-1 in the morning

line, is taking a big step up in distance stretching out from seven furlongs,

and thus might be closer to the pace than what he's shown in recent sprints.

MISSION IMPAZIBLE (Unbridled's Song), an even fourth in the Southwest S. (G3) in

his two-turn debut, might be more likely to play a pace-setting role for

stablemate Discreetly Mine, while nine-furlong allowance winner FLY DOWN

(Mineshaft) seeks to give trainer Nick Zito his second biggest classic prep win

in the span of a week.

Risen Star also-rans hampered by the soft pace of that race will seek to make

amends on Saturday. RON THE GREEK (Full Madate), who turned in an explosive run

to capture the Lecomte S. (G3) in January, perhaps took the worst of it as the

deepest closer erased a near nine-length deficit to finish sixth, 4 1/4 lengths

in back of Discreetly Mine. Making up almost as much ground was fifth-placer

STAY PUT (Broken Vow), who also lagged far behind early and was only a short

margin ahead of Ron the Greek during the early part of the race. DROSSELMEYER

(Distorted Humor), who went favored in the Risen Star at 2-1, was no worse than

sixth throughout the Risen Star but only creeped up to fourth by the finish.

HOTEP (A.P. Indy), meanwhile, showed little when settling for 10th and would

need vast improvement to contend here.

The remainder of the Louisiana Derby field, consisting of locally-based

runners, will be tested for class. BACKTRACK (Grand Slam) enters undefeated

after two starts, both at six furlongs. Claimed for $25,000 off his winning

debut, trainer Gary Scherer upped the gelding in class next time and knocked out

his entry-level allowance condition by a length at 27-1. The other two, on the

other hand, do have two-turn experience. MISTER MARTI GRAS (Belong to Me),

proficient on dirt, displayed some turf prowess when graduating last time over

the infield course by a half-length. ISLAND SOUL (Perfect Soul [Ire]), who took

an off-the-turf maiden in late January, returned to finish second against

entry-level allowance foes in the slop for Steve Asmussen.