Proxy & Pixelate chase G2 prizes at Fair Grounds

Proxy bids to take another step towards the Kentucky Derby in the G2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, USA, on Saturday, 20 March, with Pixelate lining up in the G2 Muniz Memorial Classic on the same card.

Both homebred colts have already been successful at the New Orleans course during the winter, with Proxy (John Velazquez) having captured a maiden and an allowance race towards the end of 2020.

The improving son of Tapit, who will be wearing blinkers for the first time, has subsequently finished second in two Graded Stakes at Fair Grounds.

After going down by a length to Midnight Bourbon in the extended-mile G3 Lecomte Stakes in January, Proxy rallied well to finish a length and a quarter behind Mandaloun in the nine-furlong G2 Risen Star Stakes in mid-February. All three re-oppose in Saturday’s race.

Michael Stidham said: “Proxy has had three good works since the Risen Star. We have put the blinkers on him the morning and it seems like a good addition for his focus. He looks healthy, happy and ready to run.

“He drew a good post-position in stall four of eight. We have Johnny Velazquez, who rode Proxy in the Risen Star, partnering him again, while I think the step up to nine furlongs helps us.

“Based on the numbers and the horses that want to go a mile and a quarter, I think that Proxy, Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon are among the top 10 that are pointing towards the Kentucky Derby. I can see our horse winning this time, based on the added distance and the addition of blinkers – it certainly wouldn’t surprise me.”

Pixelate (Luis Saez) comfortably won the Woodchopper Stakes at Fair Grounds in December and was beaten three lengths in total behind Colonel Liam on his latest outing in the G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park in January.

The City Zip colt has shown tremendous consistency throughout his career, finishing in the first three in 12 of his 15 starts, with three turf Stakes victories headed by a swooping win in last season’s G2 Del Mar Derby.

Michael Stidham added: “Pixelate didn’t draw the best post in 12 but we are going nine furlongs, so there is a good run to the turn at Fair Grounds. He also won the Woodchopper round there, so we know he likes the course.

“It’s a very solid group of horses and he is taking on Colonel Liam again, who only beat us three lengths in the Pegasus World Cup Turf. Pixelate always gives a big effort and, with a good trip, I think we have a chance.”