Maggie Wolfendale & Andy Serling look back at the results of the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds & Grade 3 Essex at Oaklawn.

Report from Japan

Owner-breeder John Fairley said he and his family are “all heartbroken” after his multiple group 1-winner Highfield Princess died March 23 after sustaining an injury in an accident in her stall last week.

Massive Sovereign, in just his second local start, swept to a dramatic, late-running score in the Hong Kong Derby March 24 at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Mad Cool took the short way around to win the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) March 24 at Chukyo Racecourse, getting a leg up on year-end sprint division honors.

In theory, the Kentucky Derby (G1) marks the first time a 3-year-old will race at the mile-and-a-quarter distance. That may not be the case for Albaugh Family Stables’ Catching Freedom.

The team of trainer Brad Cox, jockey Florent Geroux, and owner/breeder Godolphin swept both stakes races at Oaklawn Park in dominant fashion March 23 as First Mission won the Essex Handicap (G3) and Nash won the Hot Springs Stakes for 3-year-olds.

After tracking early leader Our Pretty Woman throughout the $388,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) March 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Tarifa edged to the lead in the stretch and held off a couple re-rally attempts from her determined rival.

Favored at even money off his victory in the San Marcos Stakes (G3T), Missed the Cut scored back-to-back graded wins by taking the San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) over Planetario, who also finished second to him in the San Marcos.

Amerman Racing’s Endlessly made short work of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) field, thundering home a powerful winner of the $700,000 feature race of the Turfway Park meet March 23.