The marquee event of the Fair Grounds season is the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), a major prep for the Triple Crown contested at 1 1/8 miles over the historic New Orleans oval. Twelve 3-year-olds went to post on Saturday under sunny skies, with Mucho Macho Man sent off as the 3-2 choice off his win in the Risen Star (G2) last out. In to challenge him included 7-2 second choice Elite Alex, in from Oaklawn where he was third in the Southwest (G3), and 4-1 third choice Machen, fourth in the Risen Star after winning his first two starts.
Liondrive went to the lead soon after the start and he set fractions of 23.43, 47.53, and 1:12.02 while being pressed by Pants On Fire to his outside. After 5/8 mile Liondrive tired and stopped badly, allowing Pants On Fire to inherit the lead through 1 mile in 1:37.24, with Mucho Macho Man close behind. Nehro, who stalked the pacesetters in 3rd early, came through late to challenge but Pants On Fire held him off to win by a neck in 1:49.92 over the track rated fast. It was just 1/2 a length back to favorite Mucho Macho Man third.
