BSW public auction purchase Wells Bayou went one better on Saturday, taking the $1,000,000 G2 Louisiana Derby in gate to wire fashion after a strong 2nd place finish in last month’s G3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Making his first start after Madaket Stables and Wonder Stables joined original owners Clint and Lance Gasaway via BSW Bloodstock, Wells Bayou shot out of the gate to take an early advantage in the 1 3/16 miles event. Maintaining an easy lead down the backstretch, Wells Bayou loped along on the lead extremely comfortably under jockey Florent Geroux, maintaining a much more relaxed tempo than he did in the Southwest. Turning for home, Wells Bayou still had a lot left in the tank, keeping Ny Traffic at bay for the length of the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

The win earned Wells Bayou 100 points towards the Kentucky Derby leaderboard and a guaranteed him a spot in the race on the first Saturday in September.

Also at the Fair Grounds, Rockemperor (IRE), a BSW private purchase in conjunction with Mandore Agency, ran a big 3rd in his four-year-old debut in the G2 Muniz Memorial, making up several lengths in the stretch. The Irish-bred son of Holy Roman Emperor posted a career best 97 Beyer Speed Figure for owners Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Michael Kisber and Bethlehem Stables.