By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

The $1 million Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, Race 12, 5:42 p.m. Central

(2) Instant Coffee enters off a pair of stakes wins and has excellent timing since his last start.  He looks to be getting better with each start for Brad Cox and seems poised for another big effort here. (4) Sun Thunder was second in the Risen Star over the track and his late kick should be aided by the added distance here. (6) Kingsbarns is undefeated in two starts for Todd Pletcher and will get tested for class. Could be dangerous on his best try. (5) Disarm may have needed his last start when he was a troubled second in his first try since August. Comes from connections who generally produce well-meant Triple Crown candidates. Betting strategy: 2 to win. Exacta and trifecta box: 2-4-5-6.