By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
One of the most prestigious races taking place this week is also one of the hardest to accept. Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) Prize at the Fair Grounds awards Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 50-20-15-10-5 basis to the top five finishers, one The prize was so attractive that 14 horses made it to lap 1 1/ 8 mile race.
Separating the main candidates is difficult. You can facilitate at least half of the participants to visit the winner’s circle. When a Fair Grounds first winner is as flashy as #2 Single ruler marked at the bright line 30-1, you know you’re looking into the abyss.
Morning favorite line is
#13 Winning lineup at 3-1, and his credentials are compelling. The undefeated son of winner Belmont S. (G1) Tapwrit boasts a 3 to 3 resume. After winning the first sprints and allowances on the Kentucky circuit last fall last fall. , Victory Formation spanned the one-mile Smarty Jones S. trail at Oaklawn Park and quickly qualified for the Road to Kentucky Derby three segments. Coach Brad Cox was on fire at the Fair Grounds during this meeting, winning by 43%, so Victory Formation envisaged shooting a competitive shot in the Resurrection Stars.
But is Victory Formation undefeated? Unnecessary. He will have to use his early pace to avoid a wide ride from column 13, which opens the door for Victory Formation to catch up to the hot pace. Horses like optional Fair Grounds grant claim winner #4 Determined and maiden winner Santa Anita
#5 Harlocap there is plenty of speed and quantity to fight with Determination to Supremacy soon. #13 Private Creedfinished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint (G1) last fall, could also take the striker position to avoid a wide trip from the 14th post.
Alternatively, you could make the case that Victory Formation didn’t beat the toughest school in Smarty Jones. Third place finisher Denington then finished distant fourth in Lecomte S. (G3) at the Fair Grounds, while fourth place winner Smarty Jones Western Ghent finished last out of eight people at Southwest S. (G3) in Oaklawn.
Instead of backing Victory Formation at a short-term price, I will think a little further with #8 Tapit’s Conquest (6-1), another Cox intern with encouraging achievements.
2nd in its sprint debut in Saratoga last summer, Tapit’s Conquest thrived running over 1 1/16 miles for the October 1st special weight class at Churchill Downs, tracking the original pace. head before taking the lead with a score of 3 1/2 lengths. Tapit’s son then spent 3 and a half months on the sidelines before returning to action in a claimant for a 1/16 mile grant option on January 21 at the Fair Grounds, in which he boldly went above and beyond. from last place to runner-up with a staunch anti-pile neck.
Tapit’s conquest reached 3 1/4 lengths in the final stretch of that grant contest, not bad for the first time he started getting fired. He’s posted several quick workouts since then and qualified to advance in his second start of the season, opening the door for a slam dunk. That means Tapit’s Conquest will be piloted by three-time Easter Star jockey Florent Geroux, 34% winner at this Fair Grounds meeting and 46% winner in partnership with Cox in the last two months according to Brisnet statistics.
Below Tapit’s Conquest,
#9 Curly Jack (8-1) and #10 Two Phil (8-1) is clearly a candidate for side prizes. Curly Jack needs no introduction; he earned Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points by winning the Iroquois S. (G3), finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Minor (G1) and finishing second in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2). Led by hot coach Tom Amoss (31% winner at this Fair Grounds meeting), Curly Jack is versatile in his running style and rarely runs a bad race, setting the stage for a finish. in the top four.
The two Phil’s also amassed Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points by finishing second in Lecomte S. (G3) at the Fair Grounds last month. Lecomte starters have won seven of the last 15 editions of the Resurrection Star, and since Two Phil’s was the only Lecomte alum in the field on Saturday, he defaults to guaranteed respect. His passing of the 1/16-mile Street Sense S. (G3) at Churchill Downs last fall adds to the allure.
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 athlete, and all-around 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.
