Super’ Fast Pace Brewing in Derby

While Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s accomplished speedster Vicar’s In Trouble (Into Mischief) looms large in today’s GII Super Derby, he’ll likely experience plenty of early pressure in the featured event of the Louisiana Downs meet. A winner of the GIII LeComte S. and GII Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds earlier this year, the Mike Maker pupil was never able to show his best after drawing the rail and enduring a rough trip in the GI Kentucky Derby. He returned to be third behindJessica’s Star (Magna Graduate) in the GIII Iowa Derby June 28, and filled the same slot after setting a quick pace last time in the Aug. 2 GII West Virginia Derby. Drawn directly inside of Vicar’s In Trouble is Ide Be Cool (Ide), a four-time stakes winner in Louisiana-bred company from six to eight furlongs. The Henry Ray Dunn colorbearer set a hot pace last time in the local Aug. 2 Prelude S., only to succumb late to Alamo Heights (Dunkirk). Louies Flower (Flower Alley) and Gold Appointment (Grand Appointment) finished third and fourth, respectively, that day. Mark Breen’s aforementioned Jessica’s Star has never been out of the exacta in seven lifetime starts. He earned a first stakes victory three back in the May 31 Prairie Mile, and added the GIII Iowa Derby back in the Prairie Downs slop June 28. The Mike Stidham pupil was run down by East Hall (Graeme Hall) last time in the July 19 Ohio Derby at Thistledown. Sagamore Farm’sVictory Nor Defeat (Unbridled’s Song) is one of two lightly raced colts who could fly under the radar here. The bay was a debut winner going seven furlongs at Gulfstream in February, but hit the bench after a distant finish on the turf the following month. He resurfaced in Hallandale to complete the trifecta in the July 5 Cherokee Run S., and rallied from out of the clouds last time to defeat older optional claiming foes when stretched to a flat mile Aug. 3. WinStar Farm homebred boasts two victories from as many tries for conditioner Kellyn Gorder. He defeated a next-out winner by 2 3/4 lengths over eight panels at Ellis July 12, and remained undefeated over the same track and trip Aug. 10. The winner’s dam is Grade I-winning sprinter Nany’s Sweep (End Sweep), who is also responsible for graded stakes-winning sprinter She’s Indy Money (A.P. Indy).