$500,000 on Saturday Fasigtipton Risen Star Stakes The race on the Fairgrounds is a key race on the highway to 152nd placen.d. Kentucky Derby Hosted by Woodford Reserve as it’s the first race of the Championship Sequence at Churchill Downs. Horses entered in Risen Star will compete for a complete of 105 factors to qualify for the Kentucky Derby on Might 2nd, distributed among the many prime 5 horses in a 50-25-15-10-5 order. Which means that whoever wins this race has an excellent probability of securing one of many 17 spots within the Derby beginning gate reserved for North American-based horses.
This yr 54th The Risen Star version featured eight racehorses competing, together with 4 from the Lecomte Stakes held on the Fairgrounds on January seventeenth, and was led by winner Golden Tempo. Two horses, together with winner Paladin, returned to the race after working within the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct in New York on December sixth. That is the third of 4 Derby qualifying factors races to be held on the Fairgrounds, adopted by the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby on March twenty first.
Risen Star has a set Truthful Grounds working desk that additionally options 5 different stakes races. It is going to be broadcast dwell on FanDuel TV, with posting time scheduled for six:30pm ET.
Learn under for details about every Risen Star candidate and perception into their handicaps.
1. Universe
Jockey: christopher elliott
coach: Ken McPeek
Proprietor: 4G Racing, Greg Day, Stephen Crane, Magdalena Racing
Work historical past: 5 begins – 1 win – 2 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $239,650
High numbers for equal base velocity: 91
Kentucky Derby factors: 13
Pedigree: World Marketing campaign – Equalityforall, High quality Highway
coloration: bay
Working model: stalker/nearer
evaluation: The colt shall be seeking to bounce again at Risen Star after ending seventh out of eight within the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on January third as a 2.30-to-1 post-time favourite. He broke on the again however by no means threatened within the 1 1/16-mile race, ending 11 1/4 lengths forward of winner Strategic Threat. Previous to that, Universe ran properly in three consecutive Derby preparatory races final fall, ending third within the Champagne Stakes after which second within the Road Sense Stakes and Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes. He has been coaching steadily with Ken McPeek, the primary coach since Smarty Jones to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby, and McPeek can even present him with the next tools: blinker For Risen Star. If Universe can get his velocity numbers as much as late 2025 ranges, this stallion might be an element. Nevertheless it’s pure to marvel if he is already reached his peak. Younger jockey Christopher Elliott will journey Universe after using him within the first two races, scoring his first win at Saratoga and ending third at Champagne. Elliott shall be making his first begin on the Fairgrounds.
First time racing? Let me clarify…
blinker These are cups positioned on the skin of a horse’s eyes earlier than a race. They are often reduce to totally different lengths and are used to restrict the horse’s visual view. This ideally improves your horse’s efficiency by permitting him to deal with what’s in entrance of him relatively than what’s behind him. When a coach removes the blinkers, it’s normally an indication of confidence that the horse is rising.
2. Golden time
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
coach: Shelley Deveaux
Proprietor: Phipps Stables and St. Elias Stables
Work historical past: 2 begins – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $183,000
High numbers for equal base velocity: 85
Kentucky Derby factors: 20
Pedigree: Carlin – Calamba, by Bernardini
coloration: bay
Working model: close by
evaluation: The deep nearer began his profession with two wins in two races, each at Fairgrounds, and enters Risen Star with a win within the racetrack’s newest Kentucky Derby factors race, the Lecomte Stakes on January seventeenth. Golden Tempo completed ninth out of 10 on the 1 1/16-mile Lecomte, 10 lengths behind the early leaders, and started a sustained rally in the beginning of Fairgrounds’ lengthy homestretch to win over fellow stablemate Mesquite by three-quarters of a size. He gained his profession debut on Dec. 20, coming from the again of a 10-horse discipline in a six-furlong dash. So his working model is fairly properly established after simply two races, and I feel he’ll settle in properly from his early tempo and make one large cost within the second half. Golden Tempo’s pedigree is great for working to 1 1/8 miles at Risen Star and has been produced for the 1 mile and 4 minute distance on the Kentucky Derby. And his common jockey, Jose Ortiz, presently sits on the prime of Fairgrounds’ seasonal standings in each wins and earnings. All indicators level to a different prime effort, however Remsen S. winner Paladin, transport from his winter base in Florida, ought to give him a powerful problem.
3. Carson Road
Jockey: ben curtis
coach: brendan walsh
Proprietor: ike and daybreak slash
Work historical past: 5 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 3 seconds
Profession earnings: $110,400
High numbers for equal base velocity: 86
Kentucky Derby factors: 6
Pedigree: Road Sense – Ms. Kela, Harlan’s Vacation
coloration: darkish bay or brown
Working model: please decide up the tempo
evaluation: Carson Road entered Risen Star with a great end result, ending third within the Lecomte S, which was gained by Golden Tempo. He raced via the paces and took the lead within the homestretch, however fell behind and drained and was handed by winner and runner-up Mesquite. A son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Road Sense, the colt was a 15.10-1 lengthy shot at Le Comte Racecourse and will have been ridden at good odds (prime 3) on Saturday. He dominated his first race of 1 1/16 miles on the Fairgrounds, which he began earlier than Lecomte, profitable by 11 1/4 lengths on tough observe. And rain is forecast for New Orleans on February 14th. Tempo jockey Ben Curtis rode Carson Road to his first win and can journey him at Risen Star as properly. Carson Road hasn’t had a nasty race but in his fifth profession race, and whereas his equibase velocity numbers have plateaued within the mid-80s, he is exhausting to miss.
4. Paladin
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
coach: chad brown
Proprietor: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brandt, Brooke Smith, Summer season Wind Equine
Work historical past: 2 begins – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $184,250
High numbers for equal base velocity: 96
Kentucky Derby factors: 10
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Secret Sigh, by Tapit
coloration: chestnut
Working model: stalker
evaluation: This well-bred colt is already extremely regarded by many Kentucky Derby spectators, and that scrutiny will intensify as he’s transported from his winter base in Florida to the fairgrounds for his three-year-old debut at Risen Star. Paladin was one of many standouts within the 2-year-old division final fall in New York. He made his debut within the 1-mile maiden race at Aqueduct on October 17, and after main within the straight, he completed second by a head to Renegade, however was moved as much as first place when Renegade was disqualified for interference. Paladin then confirmed each class and stamina within the Remsen Stakes on December 6, extending to 2 turns and 1 1/8 miles, bettering his Equibase Pace Index by 13 factors to 93 and profitable by two lengths, one size forward of Renegade. Final Saturday, Renegade returned in his 3-year-old debut and ran properly within the Sam F. Davis Stakes, exhibiting off the horse’s type. If Paladin can present the identical degree of enchancment as Renegade in his second yr of bowing, the remainder of Risenstar’s horses might be in rivalry for second place…After all, there aren’t any certainties in horse racing. Flavien Prat, who rode Paladin in each races in 2025, is scheduled to journey in Saudi Arabia and shall be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione on Saturday.
5. Honcho Chip
Jockey: Luis Saez
coach: Steve Asmussen
Proprietor: Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Joad Shoop, John Silla
Work historical past: 4 begins – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $160,475
High numbers for equal base velocity: 87
Kentucky Derby factors: 14
Pedigree: Join – Miss My Rose, by Magician
coloration: darkish bay or brown
Working model: please decide up the tempo
evaluation: Chip Honcho capped off a powerful run of younger horses on Dec. 20 by profitable the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner Stakes by three-quarters of a size within the first of 4 Kentucky Derby qualifying factors races on the Fairgrounds. He then returned to the Lecomte Stakes to organize for the second Derby at Fairgrounds, and after a sluggish begin he ran properly, however ended up ending fourth behind Golden Tempo, Mesquite and Carson Road. Total, this colt’s Equibase velocity figures had been flat and he was unable to enhance from his Gun Runner Stakes effort even within the face of harder competitors. His pedigree additionally means that racing at distances higher than 1 1/16 miles (as he did in each Fairground Prep) could also be stretching the bounds of his stamina. Search for Chip Honcho to be a consider Risenstar’s early tempo situation, probably competing for the lead with Coating and Carson Road. Tempo jockey Luis Saez shall be using for the primary time, and Chip Honcho can even take off his blinkers on Saturday. This horse might earn extra Kentucky Derby factors if he finishes within the prime 5, however profitable the Risen Star is a distant objective.
6. Colt Forty Seven
Jockey: james graham
coach: Keith Desormeaux
Proprietor: Blazing Saddles Racing Stables 2024
Work historical past: 8 begins – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 second
Profession earnings: $87,670
High numbers for equal base velocity: 75
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Bolt d’Oro – Get fortunate, written by the Nile Pioneer
coloration: bay
Working model: close by
evaluation: This skilled runner leads the Risen Star discipline with eight profession begins and has a great probability to have the most effective odds within the discipline in submit time. Colt Forty Seven was designated for grass when he began racing final fall, and has raced on grass in 4 of his first 5 begins (one filth race was scheduled for grass however was canceled resulting from rain), incomes one win. In November, he gained his first race on filth over seven furlongs. declare He had a four-and-a-half size lead within the race at Churchill Downs, after which completed fourth on the identical observe, which stretched to 1 1/16 miles. On January 17, Colt Forty Seven made his 3-year-old debut within the 1 1/16-mile allowance choice race on the Fairgrounds, beating odds of 21.70 to 1 and ending second regardless of being 5 and a half lengths behind heavyweight favourite Jackson Gap. His two finest Equibase velocity numbers got here in his final two begins and about two corners in races on filth, however these numbers are nonetheless about 15-20 factors decrease than these scored by the highest Risen Star contenders. Coach Keith Desormeaux and jockey James Graham teamed as much as win Risen Star in 2013 with a 135.20-1 grand prize, I’ve Struck a Nerve, and are in search of an analogous shock on Saturday.
First time racing? Let me clarify…
declare Horse racing is a course of by which a licensed individual can buy a horse to run in a specified race at a predetermined value. If a horse takes possession, the brand new proprietor takes over possession after the beginning gate opens, however the unique proprietor is entitled to all purses earned in that race. Due to this fact, when a horse runs in a claimed race, the proprietor of that horse accepts that the horse is claimed and that the horse might change.
7. Courtship
Jockey: John Velasquez
coach: tod plecher
Proprietor: Whisper Hill Farm, Stonestreet Stables, Windancer Farm
Work historical past: 3 starters – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 third place
Profession earnings: $66,850
High numbers for equal base velocity: 85
Kentucky Derby factors: 2
Pedigree: Carlin – Cavorting, by Bernardini
coloration: chestnut
Working model: stalker
evaluation: Coating, who has the most effective pedigrees amongst this yr’s Kentucky Derby contenders, might be poised for a breakthrough in his 3-year-old debut at Risen Star. He ran thrice as a 2-year-old final yr, all in New York, ending fourth in his 1-mile debut in September, simply profitable his second race on the identical distance in early November with solely three opponents by two and a half lengths, and ending 4th out of 11 horses in December’s 1 1/8-mile Remsen Stakes. Coating reduce off within the air, crashed in the beginning of the two-turn Kentucky Derby factors race at Suidobashi, and raced vast, however he did not quit and clawed his means again, by no means threatening a top-three end. He’ll face Remsen’s winner Paladin once more at Risen Star, however might want to enhance his 2025 velocity numbers by about 10 factors to compete. Nonetheless, if Coating can get off to an uneventful begin, he has proven sufficient velocity in earlier races (particularly wins) to be a tempo menace within the Risenstar discipline, which is principally made up of stalkers and closers. Take into account that this stallion bought for a whopping $5 million as a yearling and has a pedigree filled with stamina, being a son of Corridor of Famer Curlin and a full brother to latest prime class mare Clairiere. Common jockey John Velasquez shall be touring to the fairgrounds to journey, which can even assist this fascinating upset candidate. Brinkers for Risen Star can even be put in.
8. High quality mischief
Jockey: Florent Geroux
coach: brad cox
Proprietor: West Paces Racing and Donegal Racing
Work historical past: 4 begins – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $30,360
High numbers for equal base velocity: 86
Kentucky Derby factors: 4
Pedigree: Into Mischief – High quality Manner, High quality Highway
coloration: bay
Working model: close by
evaluation: Like Chip Honcho, this horse has run in each of Fairgrounds’ previous Kentucky Derby factors races, ending fourth within the Gun Runner Stakes, one size behind his opponent, and fifth within the Lecomte Stakes, three lengths behind Golden Tempo. High quality Mischief was an extended shot with odds of 25.40 to 1 and 29 to 1 in every race, and was as soon as once more the quantity with odds of over 15 to 1 in Risen Star. He is a deep nearer with a stable stamina pedigree and will bounce again late Saturday. fill within the trifecta or superfecta With one other stable effort, he might want to attain one other degree of means to drag off an upset. Jockey Florent Geroux, who lately started using primarily in California, returns to the fairgrounds and takes the reins for the primary time on High quality Mischief. He has loved a few years of success as considered one of coach Brad Cox’s prime riders.
First time racing? Let me clarify…
Triple or superfecta filler: In case you are taking part in a trifecta (prime 3 finishers) or a superfecta (prime 4 finishers) and need to use this horse within the third and 4th spots, but it surely doesn’t win or are available 2nd, it’s possible you’ll need to add this horse to your wager.
