Happy Risen Star Day!

The Fair Grounds card is co-headlined by the Risen Star Stakes for three year old colts and the Rachel Alexandra Stakes for three year old fillies. The winners of these races will qualify for the Derby/Oaks field as both races award 50-25-15-10-5 points.

Speaking of Rachel we should always remember her magical three year old campaign in 2009. She demolished fillies in the Kentucky Oaks by twenty lengths and then defeated three year old colts in the Preakness and the Haskell. But all of that was prelude to the Woodward Stakes where Rachel produced an all-time performance versus older males. She went fast early (22.85) and while they took turns running at her, no one could get by. The Saratoga grandstand literally shook as she crossed the wire. She was so game words don’t do it justice. It’s also one of Tom Durkin’s best calls (and that’s saying something) as he is almost breathless in the final furlong and the call climaxes with “Rachel Alexandra raises the rafters here at the Spa!” Indeed she did.

Trivia question: Who is the Risen Star Stakes named for?

Fair Grounds Race 11 – The Rachel Alexandra – Grade II

One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt for Three Year Old Fillies

1. Just Singing: Closed from the clouds in the Golden Rod at Churchill last November and ran well while finishing third (78 Beyer). Long Fair Grounds stretch should suit. Piece of the pie.
2. Classic Glide: Has been decent but now she takes on graded stakes company. Missed a couple of recent works due to weather issues at Oaklawn. Beyer top is 69. Passing.
3. Bella Ballerina: Last effort was a win in the Golden Rod Stakes (80 Beyer) at Churchill back in November. She prevailed even though she switched to her wrong lead. Godolphin filly has been training well over this track including a bullet workout two weeks ago going five furlongs. Could get loose on the lead. The Pick.
4. Dancin in Old Town: Still a maiden but ran decently in the Silverbulletday Stakes last month where she was at the rear and had to close into a slow pace and while she made up ground she was not a serious threat (77 Beyer). A better pace scenario should assist. Needs a move forward.
5. Powered by Family: Broke her maiden over a muddy surface on an off the turf races over this surface (84 Beyer). Race shape doesn’t suit as the pace shouldn’t be sharp. Lasix OFF. Exotics.
6. Luv Your Neighbor: Most experienced filly in the field. Last out in the Silverbulletday she was all out after pressing the pace but couldn’t catch the leader who got away with an easy pace. Came from further back in the Untapable Stakes two back and just missed (81 Beyer). Blinkers go ON. Bullet workout last week. Should stalk/press Bella Ballerina. Live runner.
7. Majestical: Broke her maiden two months ago as the odds on while going two turns as she pressed the pace setter and got clear when asked (72 Beyer). Lasix OFF. Passing.
8. Agrippina: Will scratch per her connections as she has developed a cough.

Picks 3-1-6-5

Fair Grounds Race 12 – The Risen Star Stakes – Grade II

One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt for Three Year Olds

1. Universe: Placed in multiple stakes last year including a second in the Street Sense (79 Beyer), where he led but was caught. Three year old season began with a clunker in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn where he did not get over the surface (69 Beyer). Blinkers ON. Passing.
2. Golden Tempo: Impressive in the Lecomte Stakes where he came from the back of the pack, as he leveled off nicely for the win (81 Beyer) after he altered course in the lane. Made a similar move in breaking his maiden two back. Should get some pace to close into. Exotics.
3. Carson Street: Demolished a maiden field two months ago by eleven lengths and then went on to the Lecomte where he got to the front turning for home but was caught by Golden Tempo in the last hundred yards (79 Beyer). Could get a piece.
4. Paladin: Tactical gun Runner colt won first out via DQ as Renegade interfered with this Gun Runner colt (87 Beyer). Came back in the Remsen won with a nice pocket trip besting Renegade in a rematch (85 Beyer). He is also flattered by Renegade’s win in the Sam F. Davis (92 Beyer) at Tampa. Distance and race flow suit as he should be able to sit a trip behind the speed. Gaffalione take over for Prat who is at the Saudi Cup. The Pick.
5. Chip Honcho: In the Gun Runner Stakes he won with a stalking trip where he just got up in the last fifty yards (81 Beyer). In the Lecomte he was wide the whole way and couldn’t close the deal – but it was a good performance in defeat given the outside trip (78 Beyer). Blinkers ON. Win candidate.
6. Colt Forty Seven: Experienced runner makes his first stakes start. Last out he was a distant second in a high end optional claiming race where he came from off the pace to finish a distant second (76 Beyer). Lasix OFF. Appears overmatched.
7. Courting: $5 million Curlin colt out of Cavorting he came from off the pace in the Remsen and finished a non-threatening fourth (74 Beyer). That followed a ho-hum maiden win against a short field (75 Beyer). Blinkers ON so he will be more engaged in the pace. Pletcher/Velazquez. Working well at Palm Beach Downs and works have improved with blinkers. Gets a slice.
8. Quality Mischief: Into Mischief colt broke his maiden at Horseshoe Indianapolis then ran in the Gun Runner Stakes where he was in position but was out finished (80 Beyer). In the Lecomte he was last most of the way, made a good run but wasn’t a threat while finishing 5th (76 Beyer). Don’t see it.

Picks 4-5-7-2

Trivia Answer: The Risen Star is named for the 1988 Champion Three Year old who won the Louisiana Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes – after which an injury forced her retirement.