Louisiana Derby gets purse, distance increase; moves up on racing calendar

Changes in store for 2010 Louisiana Derby

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Derby is getting a bigger purse, a longer distance and is moving up two weeks on the racing calendar next year.

The Grade 2 race for 3-year-olds will be run March 27 at Fair Grounds — five weeks before the Kentucky Derby instead of its usual spot seven weeks before the first leg of the Triple Crown.

The Louisiana Derby has produced two Kentucky Derby winners — Grindstone in 1996 and Black Gold in 1924.

Fair Grounds officials said Tuesday the purse will increase by $150,000 to $750,000 and the distance will increase to 1 1-8 miles from 1 1-16.

Changing the date has affected other 3-year-old races at the track. The Lecomte Stakes will move to Jan. 23 and the Risen Star will be run Feb. 20.

The track has added a 1 1-8-mile stakes race for Dec. 19 to potentially entice a year-end showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, widely considered the top two North American horses.

The unnamed race has a $100,000 purse, but track officials say the total purse could be increased if the two female stars end up running.

The Fair Grounds meeting will have its earliest starting date when it opens Nov. 6, well ahead of its traditional Thanksgiving Day opener. The 85-day meeting ends March 28.