Andy Serling & Paul Verderosa look back at the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds & Essex Handicap at Oaklawn this weekend.

After rating in sixth well into the final turn of the $101,500 San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) March 22 at Santa Anita Park, Atitlan unleashed a blazing move to surge past horses entering the stretch on his way to a clear victory.

Juddmonte homebred Final Gambit, off his maiden victory, unleashed a devastating turn of foot in the stretch to win the $776,364 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 22.

The stretch-running Tiztastic devoured the extra distance of the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), capturing the longest of the domestic Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races by 2 1/4 lengths March 22 at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ homebred Red Route One got a dream pace setup March 22 in the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park, and the 5-year-old Gun Runner horse delivered his customary finishing kick to win going away by 4 1/2 lengths.

Good Cheer easily improved to 6-for-6 and took the lead position on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks standings with a victory in the March 22 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in New Orleans.

Trainer Brian Knippenberg couldn’t help but get emotional as he watched 5-year-old gelding Mercante soar across the Turfway Park finish line March 22 in the $290,000 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (G3), pulling the 13-1 upset.

The longest shot on the board at 86-1, Idratherbeblessed shocked the field with a gate-to-wire score in the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) March 22 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Hometown hero and Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar handily defeated last year’s champion 3-year-old male, Sierra Leone, in the March 22 $480,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

With a 2 3/4-length win in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park, Bless the Broken earned 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1).