Pro
- His third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby was more impressive than it looks on paper. He broke late and ran wide on both turns in his first start outside of California
- If you like Liaison, you should like Rousing Sermon, who finished a close second to Liaison twice last winter at Hollywood Park
- He rarely throws in a bad race
Con
- California-breds typically don’t win the Derby
- He runs into trouble frequently, often a sign of a horse that causes his own problems
- While he’s run against the best of his generation, he hasn’t beaten them
Fun fact
The last participant of the Louisiana Derby to win the Kentucky Derby was Funny Cide in 2003. (He was second that year in the Louisiana Derby.)
Final analysis
Would be the hunch play of the Derby if the race were run on Sunday. It ain’t. That said, if he gets a clean trip — a big IF — his past performances say he’ll come running late. Include in your trifectas and superfectas.
Photo: Kentucky Derby/Benoit Photo