Stogie's Louisiana Derby Day Picks for Saturday, March 23, 2025

Fair Grounds Race 8 Tom Benson Memorial Stakes

1 Fun With Flags is a Chad Brown trainee who made his North American debut in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks. Filly was no match for that type of competition and finished a badly beaten 9th. This Gal showed promise overseas with a Group 3 placing in France. She enters here off a long layoff but has been training well. If Chad Brown has this one ready, she’ll be tough to beat today.
3 Way to be Marie exits from a good second in a local Stakes over this turf course here at the Fair Grounds. Filly has compiled a nice record over the weeds here, winning 2 of 4 starts with a placing and a third. Win Contender
4 Tufani is a 6-time winner in just 13 Lifetime starts. Don’t Ignore

7 Sierra Leone hasn’t raced since his career-defining win in the Breeders Cup Classic. Trainer Chad Brown has been pleased with his Colt’s morning works over at Payson Park. Colt holds a class edge versus his competition today and if he’s anywhere near 100% fit, he’ll be your likely winner. Top Pick
4 Hall of Fame has won back-to-back races here at the Fair Grounds which includes a recent win in the Grade 3 Mineshaft. This 4-year-old Colt by Gun Runner is in fine form and likely will be the leader heading into the stretch drive. He’ll have to hold the aforementioned in the wire. Win Contender
1 Kinectic moves up the class ladder after winning a local Stakes at Oaklawn at this distance. This Brad Cox trainee has won 4 of his last 5 races. He faces the acid test today. Don’t Ignore

6 Spirit of St Louis was the upset winner of the Grade 1 Pegasus World Turf Cup at Gulfstream. The gelding has been training exceptionally well for his return from a 2-month layoff. He’s won an incredible 10 of 14 starts with only one off-the-board finish. Top Pick
8 Brilliant Berti is another in here who is a win machine. This Cherie DeVaux-trained Colt has won 5 of 7 Career starts, including a Grade 3 victory last out. He hasn’t seen race day in over 4 months but his work tab has been dotted with bullets. DeVaux will have this son of Noble Mission ready to roll today. Win Contender
3 What Say Thee returned from a 3-month hiatus to run a solid third in his first attempt versus Graded competition over this turf course. The gelding is a three-time winner at this distance and enters here off two bullets. Live Longshot

7 Good Cheer has been the most dominant 3-year-old Filly in training right now. This Gal by Medaglio d’Oro has reeled off 5 straight victories by a total of 38 lengths. I can’t see anyone in this field that comes close to her today. She should win for fun and go to the Kentucky Oaks as the favorite. Top Pick
3 Ahavah is a well-bred daughter of City of Light who won on debut while sprinting here at 6 furlongs. She routes for the first time today versus some stout competition. There’s no telling how good this Filly can be, but this is a tall task off a Maiden score.
5 Her Laugh ran second to a very good horse in La Cara. Live Longshot

5 Caldera has improved his dirt speed figures in all his 4 starts for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. He was last seen nosed out in the Sunland Derby at a mile and a sixteenth. Colt stretches out in distance today and gets a jockey upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione, who I believe is going to have a big day on today’s card. This son of Liam’s Map enters here with back-to-back bullets. Win Contender
1 John Hancock is unbeaten in 2 career starts. He was last seen winning the Sam F. Davis Stakes in which he defeated the very good Owen Almighty. He now faces a bit tougher group of animals and has to go the furthest he’s ever been. I don’t think he necessarily needs to be on the lead today and hoping his jockey takes him back, just off the lead. This horse is talented and should show his versatility today. Win Contender
2 Chunk of Gold is a closer who would benefit from a speed duel upfront. Don’t Ignore