NEW ORLEANS, LA – Overcoming a difficult outside draw, Klaravich Stables’ Emerging Market outdueled a game Pavlovian in the stretch to capture the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and secure his place in the Kentucky Derby.
Emerging Market completed the 1 3/16-mile test in 1:55.18, edging Pavlovian by a head in a tightly contested finish.
Trained by Chad Brown, Emerging Market completed a Risen Star–Louisiana Derby double for the barn, which also saddled Paladin. Flavien Prat was aboard for the victory, capping a big day that included a sweep of the Fair Grounds Oaks and Louisiana Derby aboard Life of Joy.
“In his first race he showed a lot of professionalism,” Prat said. “I was a little worried about the nine hole, but we worked out a good trip. He fought hard. It was a good run, very professional. Honestly, when I turned for home I thought I would win easily, but Pavlovian gave us a good challenge.”
Emerging Market settled just off the early tempo while Pavlovian controlled the pace under pressure through opening fractions of 22.65 and 46.23 seconds. Advancing four wide at the top of the stretch, Emerging Market ranged up alongside the leader at the three-sixteenths pole. The two battled throughout the stretch, with Pavlovian holding firm along the rail, but Emerging Market proved stronger late, inching ahead in the final strides.
Golden Tempo overcame early trouble to rally for a clear third, while Universe closed from a ground-saving trip to finish fourth. Chip Honcho, who was prominent early and challenged entering the far turn, weakened to fifth.
Emerging Market returned $6, $4, and $2.80.
With the win, Emerging Market earned 100 points in his first Kentucky Derby prep, moving into second on the leaderboard. Pavlovian picked up 50 points to bring his total to 70, while Golden Tempo earned 25 points to reach 60. Universe added 15 points for a total of 38, and Chip Honcho collected 10 points to move to 49.
Following his maiden victory, Emerging Market is now a perfect 2-for-2 with earnings of $618,880.
Additional Quotes
Edwin Maldonado, jockey of place-finisher Pavlovian
“This horse is learning a whole bunch. I mean, he’s still learning. He can do it all. He can come off the pace, win from the lead. I said, the horse to beat was the three. So I said, if I’m only down on the inside, if I catch a good break, which he’s been doing, I said, I’m just gonna go… as slow as they let me go. But (Autobahn) pushed me all the way and we went fast. But still, my horse is a fighter. He had plenty of fight.”
Jose Ortiz, jockey of third-place finisher Golden Tempo
“I got squeezed a little bit out of the gate, but that didn’t matter. I was traveling good. Honestly, I thought I had a good shot passing the three-eighths pole. I worked my way out behind Flavien, you know, they got away from me a little bit.
And then he kept coming. I dove into the rail because they kept drifting out and my horse dug in again. I was very happy with him. I think the blinkers helped him a little bit. I’d rather ride him with them than without.”
Brian Hernandez Jr., jockey of fourth-place finisher Universe
“We had a great trip, cruised around, they went pretty fast up front, I thought they might come back to us. Our horse made his run, it just wasn’t quite enough to run them down.”
