Handicapping: Grade 2 Risen Star, Rachel Alexander; Stakes Undercard Selections

By Rick Francis —-

The hunt for valuable Kentucky Derby and Oaks points returns to New Orleans and Fair Grounds Race Course with the runnings of the Grade 2 Risen Star and G2 Rachel Alexandra. A full starting gate of fourteen sophomore colts will battle in the Star and five challengers take on the undefeated Hoosier Philly in the 43rd edition of the Rachel. The stakes undercard also features the Grade 3’s Mineshaft and Fair Grounds Stakes for 4-year-olds and up along with a pair overnight contests. Weather forecast for this final weekend of Mardi Gras calls for a cold clear exciting day; Good Luck!

Race 13) 1&1/8th Mile. Risen Star S. PRESENTED BY LAMARQUE LINCOLN AND LAMARQUE CRESCENT CITY FORD.
Grade II. Purse $400,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
Post Time: 7:14/( 6:14)/ 5:14/ 4:14

13) Victory Formation; Tapwrit colt exits strong winning effort taking the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn making his record a perfect 3-for-3; quick work tab on view for top connections makes him the one to beat.

4) Determinedly; bobbled start here two back in the Gun Runner and it cost him late; rebounded with a game effort facing OC’s also here last month; should be forwardly placed.

8) Tapit’s Conquest; as the race fave Tapit colt closed hard to miss by a neck against aforementioned colt in what surely was a “stakes” quality OC field; connections with a next out beaten fave a very strong 31 percent.

9) Curly Jack; Grade 3 winner of the Iroquois finished up a strong second to Instant Coffee last out in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club; rested and ready!

Selections: 13, 4, 8, 9

The field from the rail out for the 51st running of the Grade II Risen Star

PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L

1 Quiet as Midnight (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Emanuel Nieves 122 Benard Chatters –
2 Single Ruler (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Jose Riquelme 122 J. Keith Desormeaux –
3 Shaq Diesel (FL) Adam Beschizza 122 Renaldo Richards –
4 Determinedly (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Reylu Gutierrez 122 Mark E. Casse –
5 Harlocap (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate John R. Velazquez 122 Steven M. Asmussen –
6 Angel of Empire (PA)Keeneland Sales Graduate Luis Saez 122 Brad H. Cox –
7 Sun Thunder (KY) Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 122 Kenneth G. McPeek –
8 Tapit’s Conquest (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Florent Geroux 122 Brad H. Cox –
9 Curly Jack (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Edgar Morales 122 Thomas M. Amoss –
10 Two Phil’s (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Jareth Loveberry 122 Larry Rivelli –
11 Silver Heist (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Corey J. Lanerie 120 Steven M. Asmussen –
12 Crupi (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate James Graham 122 Todd A. Pletcher –
13 Victory Formation (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Flavien Prat 122 Brad H. Cox –
14 Private Creed (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Tyler Gaffalione 120 Steven M. Asmussen –

Race 12) 1&1/16th Mile. G2 Rachel Alexandra S. PRESENTED BY FASIG-TIPTON. Grade II. Purse $300,000 FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
Post Time: 6:41/( 5:41)/ 4:41/ 3:41

2) Hoosier Philly (Amoss/Morales); Into Mischiefdaughter a “clear” 3-for-3. Domintaed her last two at Churchill highlighted by a hand ride win in the Grade 2 Golden Rod. Bullets on her work sheet, think the hype surrounding this girl could be real.

4) Chop Chop (Cox/Geroux); beat her last month as the short price fave in the Silverbulletday, her first start since her disastrous effort in the BC Juve Filly. Make no bones about it, her connections will have her ready to fire today.

5) Pretty Mischievous (Walsh/Gaffalione); Into Mischief filly, a winner of 3-of-4, exits a clearing win in the Untapable here back in December.

Selections: 2, 4, 5

STAKES UNDERCARD SELECTIONS

Race 6) *1&1/16th Mile. (Turf) Albert M. Stall Memorial S. STALL MEMORIAL S.. Purse $100,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Post Time: 3:31/( 2:31)/ 1:31/12:31

7) Trail Ridge Road
3) Lake Lucerne
4) My Philly Twirl
2) Clara Peeters

Race 9) *5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Colonel Power S. Purse $100,000 FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Post Time: 5:05/( 4:05)/ 3:05/ 2:05

7) Angaston
4) Pyron
1) Ice Chocolat
3) All in Sync
Also Eligibles: 9) Evan Song, 14) Hunter John

Race 10) 1&1/16th Mile. Mineshaft S. PRESENTED BY RELYNE GI BY HAGYARD. Grade III. Purse $250,000 FOR FOUR YEAR
OLDS AND UPWARD.
Post Time: 5:37/( 4:37)/ 3:37/ 2:37

3) Tawny Port
6) Happy American
8) Mr. Wireless
5) Big Blue Line

Race 11) *1&1/8 Mile. (Turf)F air Grounds S.PRESENTED BY HORSE RACING NATION. Grade III. Purse $150,000 FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Post Time: 6:09/( 5:09)/ 4:09/ 3:09

4) Gentle Soul
1) Tiz the Bomb
2) Two Emmys
6) Pixelate
Add: 8) Bay Street Money