Macho Again tops Super Derby

Jim Dandy S. (G2) winner MACHO AGAIN (Macho Uno) is the top draw in

Saturday's $500,000

Super

Derby (G2) at Louisiana Downs. Ten sophomores will square off in the 1

1/8-mile event, including STAR PRODUCTION (Run Production), NUMISMATIST (Yankee

Gentleman) and GOLDEN YANK (Yankee Gentleman), the top three respective

finishers in the August 16 Prelude S., the local prep for the premiere event at

Louisiana Downs.

Macho Again recorded his first stakes win in the Derby Trial S. in April and

finished second in the Preakness S. (G1) next time out. He didn't fire when

fifth in the Belmont S. (G1), but rebounded to gamely win the Jim Dandy at

Saratoga. The Dallas Stewart-trained colt suffered a miserable trip in the

Travers S. (G1) most recently, clipping heels in traffic as he was repeatedly

steadied, and his eighth-place finish is a throw out. Kent Desormeaux, who

guided the gray earlier in his career, will take over in the saddle.

Star Production is a two-time stakes winner over the Bossier City, Louisiana,

oval. The Louisiana-bred romped to a eight-length score over state-bred rivals

in the Louisiana Breeders' Derby two starts back and recorded a front-running

decision when stepping up to face open company in the Prelude last out. Carlos

Gonzalez will retain the mount aboard the James Hodges charge. Grade 2 runner-up

Golden Yank missed by only a head with his late run in the Prelude and owns

plenty of experience versus graded rivals. The Gary Thomas-conditioned gelding

will be running late under Jamie Theriot on Saturday.

The Super Derby marks the stakes debut for FOREST COMMAND (Monarchos), who

exits a good-looking, six-length allowance/optional claiming tally at Saratoga. The John Ward

pupil broke his maiden two starts back at Churchill Downs and will be reunited

with jockey Robby Albarado. Multiple stakes winner REAL APPEAL (Successful

Appeal), last seen finishing third in the West Virginia Derby (G3), and Grade 2

runner-up MY PAL CHARLIE (Indian Charlie) are also entered.

Five stakes will be offered on the Super Derby undercard. In the $200,000

Unbridled H., stakes winner KNOCKOUT ARTIST (Exploit), runner-up in the

Harry F. Brubaker H. at Del Mar in his last outing, and Grade 3 hero STEVE'S

DOUBLE (Stephen Got Even) are leading contenders. The one-mile turf affair features a field of nine. VALID MESSAGE (Valid Expectations) and MARQUEE EVENT

(Marquetry), the top two respective finishers in the recent Sunny's Halo S.,

will renew their rivalry in the $150,000

Sunday Silence S. Nine juveniles will contest the 1 1/16-mile turf event.

The $150,000

Tiznow H.

has attracted eight older horses, including multiple Grade 3 victor JONESBORO (Sefapiano),

for 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Stakes winner RUN DON'T STROLL (Stroll)

highlights a field of 10 juvenile fillies in the $150,000

Happy

Ticket S. The 1 1/16-mile turf test marks the stakes bow for ZIPPIT HONEY

(City Zip), a smashing 9 3/4-length heroine over maiden special weight rivals

last out. Twelve distaffers are set to travel one grassy mile in the $100,000

River

Cities S., including Grade 3 winner BROWNIE POINTS (Forest Wildcat), who

held reigning champion Ginger Punch (Awesome Again) to third when second behind

Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Apple Blossom H. (G1) earlier in the season.