Some upset wins are higher than others. Villanova’s defeat of Georgetown within the 1985 NCAA males’s basketball nationwide championship was nearly unthinkable, however the Philadelphia Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl II victory over the New England Patriots in February 2018 was eyebrow-raising.
The 2013 Risen Star Stakes positively falls into the previous class.
I’ve Struck a Nerve entered the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes on the Fairgrounds on February 23, 2013 with only one win in eight begins. He has competed in stakes 4 occasions and confirmed some promise two months in the past within the Sugar Bowl Stakes with a second-second dash in a six-furlong dash. The Yankee Gentleman colt, educated by Keith Desormeaux for Matt Bryan’s Huge Chief Racing jockey, entered Risen Star after ending fourth at Fairgrounds within the Lecomte Stakes, however misplaced by 13 and a half lengths at odds of 33.90 to 1.
However these closest to Ive Struck a Nerve didn’t lose religion.
“Each time this horse has run lengthy distances, he has had some form of hassle,” Desormeaux mentioned. blood horse After the race. “Matt and I talked a number of occasions about simply eager to go the gap and get a clear run. If he misplaced by 14 lengths once more, I used to be ready to cease making an attempt.”
I’ve Struck a Nerve was once more unbeaten by 14 lengths. As a substitute, he orchestrated one of many greatest upsets of the century, rewarding the religion of his connections with staggering odds of 135.20 to 1.
Final of the 12 runners, I’ve Struck a Nerve, ridden by jockey James Graham, constructed a big lead from the beginning, then elevated his lead by six lengths in a straight line, and with a sustained cost, completed a four-horse race by a nostril over runner-up Code West. Not solely did he pull off an enormous upset, however I’ve Struck a Nerve defeated Risenstar’s favourite area. Third-place finisher Palace Maris received the Belmont Stakes, and fourth-place finisher Oxbow received the Preakness that yr.
It was a victory that introduced the proprietor to tears of pleasure.
“I will do that race again and again so long as I stay,” Brian instructed BloodHorse shortly after. “We have been ready for a clear journey with this horse, and at present we lastly bought it. When he got here free from the skin, we have been utterly hooked.”
Sadly, Risenstar was I’ve Strak a Nerve’s remaining race. A damaged ankle compelled him to overlook the Louisiana Derby, which additionally sidelined him from the 2013 Kentucky Derby. I’ve Struck a Nerve had three foals from his manufacturing stand one season at stud, however none of them received. Though he was later gelded, his identify is ceaselessly etched in horse racing historical past. On February 23, 2013, I’ve Struck A Nerve actually shocked the world – OK, perhaps that is a little bit of an exaggeration – by pulling off one of many sport’s most unthinkable upsets within the Risen Star Stakes.
Editor’s notice: Keith Desormeaux and James Graham staff up with one other 2026 Risenstar contender, Colt Forty Seven.
