LIVE Louisiana Derby 2026: Expert Top Picks and Results as Kentucky Derby Points Hang in the Balance

Louisiana Derby 2026 kicks off the Road to the Kentucky Derby’s 100-point prep phase

The Road to the Kentucky Derby enters a pivotal stage Saturday as the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds launches the first of the major 100-point qualifying races, giving the winner a virtual guarantee of a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.

Follow along with us throughout the day for up-to-the-minute coverage from Fair Grounds, including Louisiana Derby picks, entries, live odds, results, analysis, and promotions. We’ll also have coverage of key supporting stakes on the card, including the Kentucky Cup Classic and the Bourbonette Oaks, the latter serving as an important stop on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

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Post Times

Louisiana Derby Odds

Louisiana Derby Results

Payouts and More

TBD

Louisiana Derby Winner

Who won the Louisiana Derby?

Winner: Emerging Market

Who are the top expert picks to win the Louisiana Derby?

Here are some of the best picks for the Louisiana Derby from our group of experts. 

Who to bet on the Louisiana Derby 

A well-balanced group of nine three-year-old prospects will travel 1 3/16 miles over the Fair Grounds main oval in Saturday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. Here are some expert picks for the Louisiana Derby 2026. 

Louisiana Derby Picks

• #5 Golden Tempo
• #3 Chip Honcho
• #9 Emerging Market
• #7 Blacksmith

Louisiana Derby Wagers

• $15 win and place #5 Golden Tempo
• $4 exacta key box 5 with 3,7,9

Check out more of our content for Louisiana Derby handicapping advice.

What is the easiest way to register for online Louisiana Derby betting?

Signing up is quick and easy through TwinSpires.com. 

1. First check our offers page, we may be running a promotion for a sign-up bonus or offer.
2. If not interested in an offer, simply click here to find our registration page.
3. Enter your personal information (we ask for several pieces of information to verify you are over 18 in age and reside in a state where horse racing bets are legal):
   1. Your name and email
   2. Your contact information
   3. Account information creationEnter your personal information (we ask for several pieces of information to verify you are over 18 in age and reside in a state where horse racing bets are legal)

How to bet the Louisiana Derby Online?

Don’t Bet With Horse’s Name or Post Position

Never, never, never go to the window, or try to place a wager online with TwinSpires.com, or by phone, with a horse’s name or the horse’s post positions – because they may be different than the program numbers. Check the program numbers by selecting the track and race, then viewing the Runner Info column in Program view.

For an example of how to bet online with TwinSpires, you would state your wager as:

• Churchill Downs (track)
• Race 5 (race number)
• $2 to Win (amount and wager type)
• Number 4 (horse by program number)

Exacta Box wager example

If you are building an exotic bet, such as an Exacta or Trifecta, then here is the quickest way to formulate your ticket.

• On the Program line, find the dropdown options for bet Type and bet Amount
  • In the 1st dropdown menu list, select 'Exacta' (or other exotic bet)
    • Selecting an exotic bet will cause a third dropdown menu box to appear
  • In the 2nd dropdown menu, select the desired USD value
  • In the 3rd dropdown menu that appeared, select either 'straight' bet or 'box' bet

Exacta Part Wheel and Trifecta/Superfecta Part Wheel wager examples

• Follow the steps mentioned previously, except in the 3rd dropdown menu that appeared, please select either 'Key' or 'Key Box' bet
  • Once 'Key' or 'Key Box' are selected, new columns will appear to the right of the odds (radial check buttons)
    • The 'Save Bet or Submit Bet' buttons will light up, once the minimum number of horses are included in the wager
    • A $1 Superfecta Part Wheel could be - 1 with 2,3 with 2,3,4 with 2,3,4,5
    • A $1 superfecta "Key" means you have one or more horses "keyed" in one position with other runners
      • For example, a Superfecta Key may be: 1 key 2,3,4,5 will give you #1 in the top (winning) position and 2, 3, 4 or 5 must finish second, third and fourth in any order (but #1 must win the horse race).

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Who won the 2025 LA Derby?

Where to find promotions for the Louisiana Derby?

TwinSpires offers some of the best bonuses for betting the Louisiana Derby with a 2,500 Late Pick 5 Hit It and Split It and a Road to the Kentucky Derby Bet Back $10. 

Check out our great promotions below!

Louisiana Derby Betting Promotional Bonus Offers