Vicar's in Trouble has no problem winning Louisiana Derby

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Local stakes winner Vicar's in Trouble set the pace and pulled away down the stretch to win Saturday's 101st Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Vicar's in Trouble, trained by Mike Maker, garnered 100 points in winning the 1 1/8-mile, $1 million Louisiana Derby and has assured himself a spot in the starting field for the Kentucky Derby on May 3.

Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Vicar's in Trouble was sent off as the 3-1 co- second choice in the 10-horse field. Also at 3-1 was In Trouble with Risen Star Stakes winner Intense Holiday the 19-10 favorite.

Owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Vicar's in Trouble took the lead as the field went under the wire for the first time. He continued to set the pace while being pressured by 47-1 longshot Louies Flower and 13-1 stakes winner Rise Up.

Vicar's in Trouble still had the lead entering the far turn as Intense Holiday advanced from the outside into second. However, Napravnik got Vicar's in Trouble to focus and drew away from the field entering the stretch.

Vicar's in Trouble surged down the stretch and was able to post a 3 1/2-length victory over Intense Holiday with 13-1 longshot Commanding Curve getting third.

In Trouble finished fourth but was disqualified to fifth after bumping with Albano who was fifth under the wire. Completing the order of finish were Flat Gone, King Cyrus, Gold Hawk, Louies Flower and Rise Up.

The time for the Louisiana Derby was 1:50.77 on a fast track.

Vicar's in Trouble gave jockey Rosie Napravnik her second win in the Louisiana Derby as the colt added $600,000 to his earnings. The 3-year-old has won three of five career starts and $788,900.

Napravnik won the race three years ago with Pants On Fire. As the only jockey to ever ride Vicar's in Trouble, the two won the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds on Jan. 18 and finished third behind Intense Holiday on Feb. 22 in the Risen Star.

Vicar's In Trouble paid $8.60, $4.40 and $3.00. Intense Holiday returned $3.20 and $2.60, and Commanding Curve paid $5.20 to show.