Wells Bayou went straight to the front and led all the way winning the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby by about 1 ½ lengths. Ny Traffic chased the winner the entire trip and finished second, followed by Modernist, who also raced near the front of a 14-horse field and won a photo over Major Fed, who made a strong run for fourth coming from far behind the leader.

Florent Geroux rode Wells Bayou for trainer Brad Cox, the same connections that captured the Fair Grounds Oaks on Saturday with Bonny South. Cox also won the Muniz Memorial with Factor This, who was ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan.

Enforceable, the favorite, made a decent move around the far turn but flattened late and checked in fifth. Wells Bayou paid $8.40 as the second choice and was timed in 1:56.47 for 1 3/16 miles over a fast track after setting splits of 23.56, 48, 1:12.42, and 1:37.61. Wells Bayou is by Lookin at Lucky out of Whispering Angel, by Hard Spun, and is owned by Lance and Clint Gasaway and Madaket Stables. Wells Bayou now has three wins from five starts and was second in the Grade 2 Southwest Stakes before his breakthrough at Fair Grounds.

The Louisiana Derby was the final race of the Fair Grounds season as the New Orleans track canceled the final six days of their 2019 – 2020 race meeting because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Look for a full recap shortly from Jay Privman at www.drf.com