Emerging Market Edges Pavlovian in Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, Secures Kentucky Derby Berth

By Kevin Kilroy —-

3-21-26 Emerging Market, with Flavien Prat aboard in red and white silks, wins the 113th running of the $1,000,000 Grade II Louisiana Derby at Fairgrounds Racecourse in New Orleans, LA. Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr

NEW ORLEANS (March 21, 2026) – Overcoming a far outside post, Klaravich Stables’ Emerging Market outfinished a determined Pavlovian to win the Grade 2, $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby, punching his ticket to Kentucky Derby 152.

Emerging Market covered 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.18, beating Pavlovian by a head.

Trained by Chad Brown, Emerging Market delivered the Risen Star–Louisiana Derby double for the trainer, who also saddled Paladin. Jockey Flavien Prat provided the winning ride, sweeping the Fair Grounds Oaks and Louisiana Derby double with Life of Joy.

“In his first race he showed a lot of professionalism,” Prat said. “I was a little worried about the nine hole, but we worked out a good trip. He fought hard. It was a good run, very professional. Honestly, when I turned for home I thought I would win easily, but Pavlovian gave us a good challenge.”

Allowed to settle just off the early pace, Emerging Market stayed within striking range as Pavlovian dictated terms while under pressure through the opening fractions of 22.65 and 46.23 seconds. Moving into contention four wide near the top of the stretch, Emerging Market ranged up to confront the leader at the three-sixteenths pole. The pair dueled through the lane, with Pavlovian digging in along the inside, but Emerging Market proved stronger late, edging clear in deep stretch to secure the victory.

Behind the top two, Golden Tempo overcame early trouble to rally through traffic and finish a clear third, while Universe closed mildly after a ground-saving trip for fourth. Chip Honcho was close to the early pace, vied for the lead entering the far turn but faded to fifth.

Emerging Market paid $6, $4 and $2.80.

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.

Exiting his maiden score, Emerging Market’s record now stands at 2-2-0-0 with earnings of $618,880.

Additional Quotes

Edwin Maldonado, jockey of place-finisher Pavlovian

“This horse is learning a whole bunch. I mean, he’s still learning. He can do it all. He can come off the pace, win from the lead. I said, the horse to beat was the three. So I said, if I’m only down on the inside, if I catch a good break, which he’s been doing, I said, I’m just gonna go… as slow as they let me go. But (Autobahn) pushed me all the way and we went fast. But still, my horse is a fighter. He had plenty of fight.”

Jose Ortiz, jockey of third-place finisher Golden Tempo

“I got squeezed a little bit out of the gate, but that didn’t matter. I was traveling good. Honestly, I thought I had a good shot passing the three-eighths pole. I worked my way out behind Flavien, you know, they got away from me a little bit. 
And then he kept coming. I dove into the rail because they kept drifting out and my horse dug in again. I was very happy with him. I think the blinkers helped him a little bit. I’d rather ride him with them than without.”

Brian Hernandez Jr., jockey of fourth-place finisher Universe

“We had a great trip, cruised around, they went pretty fast up front, I thought they might come back to us. Our horse made his run, it just wasn’t quite enough to run them down.”