By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
Let’s say you’re a cripple and you don’t know that Saturday’s Risen Star S. (G2) at the Fair Grounds is the Most Profitable Road to the Kentucky Derby prep so far this year, awarding five times the bonus. qualifying scores (50-20-10-5 for the top four finishers) as of recent races.
Even if you don’t know about this fact, you will still recognize the Easter Star as something special, because the school is so popular. The 1/8-long 1/8 race attracted 10 horses, including four winners. Some of the biggest names on the Road to the Kentucky Derby were entered, as the winner was virtually guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Derby’s starting gate. Why wait until the last minute to close a qualified landing?
A lot of support will be given to the three winners of the stakes classified in the field of Easter Stars: #1 Pappacap (4-1), #8 Happy smile (7-2), and #10 Slow down Andy (9-2). Grade 2 is placed # 7 Zandon (9-2) is certainly a popular play as well.
But those who stood out had their names hidden cracks in their armor. For example:
- Pappacap recorded his special victory in the Best Pal S. (G2) sprint six times as a juvenile. He was placed in front of a tough team that ran long, evening finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), but he lost points from eighth column to finish line in all three of his runs. me. In the Lecomte S. (G3) at the Fair Grounds last month, Pappacap looked like a winner after rallying inside at the top of the stretch, but he ended up finishing in third. Is 1/8 mile of the Resurrection Star too far away?
- Smile Happy made a big splash at the age of two, going 2v2 with a crushing win at the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) over the next ranked winners Classic Causeway and White Abarrio. But Smile Happy has been inactive since Nov. 27. Over the past decade, coach Kenny McPeek has fixed 11 under-rated bet winners who have entered the competition when only 3 years old. Some achieved high levels of success (including Daddys Lil Darling, 1st place winner), but all were beaten in their sophomore debut, suggesting that Smile Happy won’t necessarily make the effort. Saturday peak.
- Zandon ran too well to lose to Remsen S. (G2) 1/8 mile at the Aqueduct two and a half months ago, fighting fiercely to finish second after crashing near the finish line. But as with Smile Happy, the layoffs are a question mark for Zandon. Over the past decade, coach Chad Brown has commanded successful underage dirt campaigners like Good Magic, Reality Prank, Normandy Invasion, and Highly Motivated. All competed in the Kentucky Derby, but all performed well below expectations in their sophomore debut. If the Derby is the ultimate goal, the Resurrection Star is the starting point, and we don’t necessarily expect Zandon to make his A-game at the start of the season.
- It’s hard to beat Slow Down form Andy, who was last seen beating Messier in a long stretch at Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on December 11. That effort was honored when Messier turned around to hit. beat Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) 15 lengths. But Slow Down Andy has a few historic challenges to overcome—California shippers have won 0 to 6 of the 10 most recent editions of the Resurrection Star, and only two of the 15 have won the Star. The most recent Easter (Horse of the Year Future Runner of the Year and 1st Class Pyro star) won an Easter Star in their sophomore debut.
So, what does all this mean? It means I would love to support # 5 Epicenter (4-1) for mild discomfort in the Easter Star.
Like many recent Risen Star winners, Epicenter has racing experience at Fair Grounds. On December 26, he dominated the Gun Runner S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby for a length of 6 and a half. And on January 22, he was hit in the head only in Lecomte S. (G3) after speeding.
Epicenter’s Lecomte effort was better than it first looked. The fractions he placed (:23.40, :47.01, and 1:12.16) were legally fast for a two-way dirt road at Fair Grounds, and Epicenter showed the tenacity to spin. Back bid inside from Pappacap down to homestead. Just a desperate late fee from the poignant end of Call Me Midnight prevented Epicenter from visiting the winners’ circle.
There’s no frenetic pace in the Resurrection Star, so Epicenter should be able to guarantee a comfortable ride setup or hit speed. His Beyer and Brisnet speed numbers are solid, and his departure from Lecomte is crucial, as six of the last 14 Easter Star winners used Lecomte as a run race preparation. If Epicenter goes up against the odds of 4-1 in the morning, I think he’ll have a match of value on Saturday.
Selection
First: Heart Earth
Monday: Slow Andy
Tuesday: Happy smile
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in Risen Star Stakes?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, disabled, and horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
