Triple Crown Trail: Emerging Market takes Louisiana Derby
Improves to 2-for-2; Fulleffort wins Jeff Ruby
The Biz
March 22, 2026
Emerging Market overcame a far outside post and edged a game Pavlovian by a head to win the Grade 2, $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby, earn 100 Kentucky Derby points. and secure a spot in Kentucky Derby 152.
Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat, Emerging Market joined Paladin to complete the Risen Star–Louisiana Derby double for the Brown barn. He tracked just off the pace as Pavlovian set sharp early fractions, moved four wide into the stretch, and wore down his rival in a prolonged duel.
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“Honestly, when I turned for home, I thought I would win easily, but Pavlovian gave us a good challenge.” Prat said.
Golden Tempo rallied for third, followed by Universe and Chip Honcho.
Emerging Market ($6.00) covered 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.18 and earned 100 Derby points in his first prep. Now unbeaten in two starts, he has banked $618,880.
With his victory in his first Derby prep, Emerging Market earned 100 points to move into second on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Pavlovian added 50 points for a new total of 70, while Golden Tempo picked up 25 to reach 60 points. Universe earned 15 points to bring his total to 38, and Chip Honcho collected 10 points and now has 49.
JEFF RUBY STEAKS
Post time favorite Fulleffort rallied from well back to win Saturday’s other 100-point prep, the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. Under Irad Ortiz, Jr., Fulleffort was ninth early before rallying to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Second choice Stark Contrast finished second, while Medici and Stop the Car rounded out the superfecta. Trained by Brad Cox for St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing, Fulleffort has won three of seven starts — all on turf or synthetic — and has 110 Derby points, most of any runner.
KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS TOP 10
| RANK | HORSE | OWNER | TRAINER | POINTS |
| 1 | Fulleffort | St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing | Brad Cox | 110 |
| 2 | Emerging Market | Klaravich Stables Inc. | Chad Brown | 100 |
| 3 | Pavlovian | Reddam Racing, LLC | Doug O’Neill | 70 |
| 4 | Paladin | Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith & Summer Wind Equine LLC | Chad Brown | 60 |
| 5 | Incredibolt | Pin Oak Stud LLC | Riley Mott | 60 |
| 6 | Golden Tempo | Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola) | Cherie DeVaux | 60 |
| 7 | The Puma | OGMA Investments LLC, JR Ranch and High Step Racing LLC | Gustavo Delgado | 56 |
| 8 | Silent Tactic | John C. Oxley | Mark E. Casse | 50 |
| 9 | Class President | WinStar Farm LLC, First Go Racing and CHC, Inc. | Todd A. Pletcher | 50 |
| 10 | Commandment | Wathnan Racing | Brad Cox | 50 |
| Iron Honor | St. Elias Stable, Lawrence, William H. and Glassman Racing | Chad Brown | 50 | |
| Potente | Speedway Stables LLC | Bob Baffert | 50 | |
| Stark Contrast | Amerman Racing, LLC | Michael McCarthy | 50 |
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KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS RACES REPLAYS
(Click on each line to see the replay)
- Smarty Jones S. – Strategic Risk
- Jerome S. – My World
- Lecomte S. – Golden Tempo
- Southwest S. – Silent Tactic
- Holy Bull S. – Nearly
- Robert B. Lewis S. – Plutarch
- Withers S. – Talk to Me Jimmy
- Sam F. Davis S. – Renegade
- UAE 2000 Guineas – Six Speed
- Risen Star S. – Paladin
- John Battaglia Memorial S. – Great White
- Sunland Derby – Pavlovian
- Rebel S. – Class President
- Fountain of Youth S. – Commandment
- Gotham S. – Iron Honor
- San Felipe S. – Potente
- Tampa Bay Derby – The Puma
- Louisiana Derby – Emerging Market
- Jeff Ruby Steaks – Fulleffort
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