LIVE Louisiana Derby 2026: Expert Top Picks and Results as Kentucky Derby Points Hang in the Balance
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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.
INDEX
Post Times
| Race | Time |
| Fair Grounds Oaks | 6:08 PM |
| Louisiana Derby | 6:42 PM |
Louisiana Derby Odds

Louisiana Derby Entries
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Louisiana Derby
#1 Pavlovian **
#2 Autobahn ***
#3 Chip Honcho ****
#4 Universe **
#5 Golden Tempo *****
#6 Spirit of Royal *
#7 Blacksmith ***
#8 Easterly **
#9 Emerging Market ****
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
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.
- First check our offers page, we may be running a promotion for a sign-up bonus or offer.
- If not interested in an offer, simply click here to find our registration page.
- 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):
- Your name and email
- Your contact information
- 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
- In the 1st dropdown menu list, select 'Exacta' (or other exotic 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).
- Once 'Key' or 'Key Box' are selected, new columns will appear to the right of the odds (radial check buttons)
Who won the 2025 LA Derby?

Tiztastic wins the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography)
The upset winner of the 2025 Louisiana Derby was Tiztastic, closely inbred to Tapit, a three-time leading North American sire.
RELATED:
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Tiztastic
Tiztastic – Kentucky Derby Context
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
2,500 Late Pick 5 Hit It and Split It
Opt in and play the Late Pick 5 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park for a chance to split the $2,500 prize pool on Saturday, March 21st.
Road to the Kentucky Derby Bet Back $10
Opt in and receive a Bonus Bet up to $10 back on your first single horse Win wager if your horse runs 2nd or 3rd in selected races at select tracks along the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
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