Elite Alex, 3rd in the Southwest Stakes (G3), is expected to scratch from Oaklawn's Rebel (G2) in favor of the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds next Saturday. Calvin Borel will ride.
Tim Ritchey's promising Afleet Alex colt, out of Unbridled mare Catch The Moment, broke his maiden at five furlongs in his Delaware debut as the favorite last summer. He blew the break and missed by a head in his troubled flat mile Arkansas return in January and rallied wide to land the show when last seen in the Southwest.
The distance and timing of the Louisiana Derby seems better and the $1 million purse could help him make the field on the first Saturday in May. Others pointing to the Fair Grounds showcase include Risen Star (G2) hero Mucho Macho Man, and the Neil Howard duo of Machen and Wilkinson.