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The coupled entry of Mark Valeski and Mr. Bowling was made the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a full field of 14 for the $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots April 1. Post positions for the 1 1/8-mile stakes for 3-year-olds were drawn March 26. Post time for the Louisiana Derby is planned for 4:55 p.m. CDT on the Sunday program. Mark Valeski and Mr. Bowling, both bred and owned by Brereton Jones and trained by Larry Jones, exit the Feb. 25 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. Mark Valeski (by Proud Citizen) finished a strong second, only a nose behind El Padrino, while Mr. Bowling (by Istan) checked in 11th after having won the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds in his previous start. Jake Ballis' Cigar Street, who broke his maiden by 13 3/4 lengths at Fair Grounds March 10, is the 7-2 second choice in the morning line. Trained by Steve Margolis, the Street Sense colt finished far behind Bourbon Courage in his career debut, but that colt returned to win again impressively at Fair Grounds March 24. Rousing Sermon, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, is 6-1 in the morning line. The Lucky Pulpit colt most recently finished fifth and fourth, respectively, in two grade II stakes in California. WinStar Farm's Windsurfer, who broke his maiden Feb. 18 at Gulfstream Park for trainer Todd Pletcher, figures to get a close look at 12-1 in the early line. The Speightstown colt has shown improvement in his last two starts. Donegal Racing's Finnegans Wake, who finished a distant third in the Gotham Stakes March 3 behind Hansen and My Adonis after a troubled start, worked five furlongs in :59 4/5 on a fast track at Fair Grounds March 24 and seems poised for improvement. The Powerscourt colt is trained by Dale Romans and listed at 15-1.
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