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Nine months ago, Lawyer Ron kicked off his six-race win streak at Louisiana Downs. On Saturday, the Langfuhr colt will return to the Bossier City track for the $500,000 Super Derby (G2) with a chance to cement a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Lawyer Ron had just one victory in eight starts prior to his dominant win in an allowance/optional claiming race at one mile and 70 yards on December 9 at Louisiana Downs.

The chestnut colt followed with an authoritative win in the Diamond Jo Stakes on December 31 at Evangeline Downs before returning to Bossier City for an 8 ¼-length triumph in the Risen Star Stakes (G3).

Lawyer Ron added wins in the Rebel Stakes (G3) and Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn Park before finishing 12^th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6. He came out of the race with an ankle chip and returned after a 15-week break with a measured victory in the St. Louis Derby on August 26 at Fairmount Park.

Trainer Bob Holthus said Lawyer Ron needs to prove himself in the 1 1/8-mile Super Derby to warrant consideration for the Classic on November 4 at Churchill Downs.

"He'd have to run a very high number to even consider him," Holthus said. "He's a nice horse, but we also have to face reality because the Breeders' Cup is also coming up with some very nice horses. We hope we get by this step and then we can look at it and see if we have a chance."

Trainer John Ward Jr. also is looking for a step forward from Strong Contender, who finished third in the Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1) on August 6 at Monmouth Park after winning the Dwyer Stakes (G2) on July 4 at Belmont Park.

"We've taken on the bears, and I think Lawyer Ron is probably one of them, too," Ward said. "I've got a lot of respect for the animal. But our horse has really matured through the season and, you know, that's what we've been kind of waiting for and he's a better racehorse than he was, probably, in the Haskell."

Point Determined will return to dirt after finishing last in the Del Mar Derby (G2) on September 3 in his turf debut. The Point Given colt won the Affirmed Handicap (G3) on June 17 at Hollywood Park and finished second in the Swaps Breeders' Cup Stakes (G2) there on July 8.—Jeff Lowe

The field, in post position order, with sire, jockey, weight, trainer, and odds:

1. Strong Contender (Maria's Mon), Robby Albarado, 124, John T. Ward, Jr., 5-to-2;
2. Lawyer Ron (Langfuhr), John McKee, 124, Robert E. Holthus, 8-to-5;
3. Follow the Storm (Stormin Fever), Kerwin D. Clark, 124, Brandon Marks, 30-to-1;
4. Majestic Stream (Fusaichi Pegasus), Donnie J. Meche, 124, Clyde Veltmann, 30-to-1;
5. His Eyes (Gold Case), Carlos Gonzalez, 124, W. Bret Calhoun, 15-to-1;
6. Point Determined (Point Given), Victor Espinoza, 124, Bob Baffert, 2-to-1;
7. Louisborg (Victory Gallop), Lonnie Meche, 124, Tony J. Richey, 12-to-1; and
8. Costa Rising (Royal Strand [IRE]), Mario Jose Reyes, 124, Joseph Stanley Boxie, 10-to-1.