Handicapping: Risen Star & Rachel Alexandra Picks; Full-card Selections

By Rick Francis —-

The “Road to the Kentucky Derby & Oaks” makes it’s Championship Series stop at New Orleans Fair Grounds where the Grade 2 Risen Star and Rachel Alexandra will offer starting points of (50-25-15-10-5) for the 150th “Run for the Roses and Oaks”. A card of 14 races are on tap with track conditions a bit unceratin as rain is in the forecast along with very breezy and cold temps, so check the scratch board. Good Luck !!!

Race 13) 1 1/16 Miles Dirt. Purse $300,000. Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton. FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
7) West Omaha – got the perfect trip in the Silverbulletday, stalked and closed
6) V V’S Dream – has disappointed in each of last two; iffy on a short price for top spot
5) Alpine Princess – winner of two straight; readied for this start
4) Intricate – off since November following her dismantiling of the Grade 2 Golden Rod field

Race 14) 1 1/8 Miles Dirt. Purse $400,000. Risen Star S.. FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
11) Track Phantom – Quality Road colt is rounding into Triple Crown form winning 3-straight, last two here and each in near gate-to-wire style. A win here clearly stamps him as the Kentucky Derby fave.
8) Catching Freedom – Smarty Jones score at Oaklawn last out was in clearing fashion where he demonstrated a strong closing kick, that trait is playing well here; dangerous.
3) Honor Marie – makes first start since winning the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club last November.
6) Real Men Violin – exits a place finish to the aforementioned in KY/JC; jock/trainer combo has been on fire this stakes season.

Race 1)
2) Like This
6) Hardly Able
7) Copter
10) Macho Beanie

Race 2)
11) Woderful Justice
12) Point Proven
2) Agent Creed
5) Sailing Solo
3) Deccan Prince

Race 3)
3) Nash
1) Ethan Energy
2) Count Dracula
5) Moonlight

Race 4)
11) Wish Carefully
6) Benji Star
7) Causeway Benny
1) He’s Just Lucjy
AE-14) Chad’s Flashy Ways

Race 5)
8) Our Pretty Woman
2) Noriskit Nobiscuit
1) Sistina Chapel
6) Ms Quality Control
5) Liuzza

Race 6)
10) Harbor Springs
6) Torrey Street
8) Quality Credit
4) LaLa Rose
11) Gourmet

Race 7)
11) Higgins Boat
4) Disgreet Mischief
2) Banned For Life
5) Air It Out

Race 8) 5 1/2 Furlongs Turf. Purse $100,000. Colonel Power S.. FOR 4-YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
9) Mischievous Rogue – in the money 9-straight
4) Just Might – missed by a nose here last out; horse for the course
3) Minnesota Ready – enters having shown in 4-straight, last two here
5) Sousa Summer – winner of the Duncan Kenner in last; back-and-forth with Just Might

Race 9)
10) Cornishman
7) El Magnifico
6) Antiqurian
4) Justifreak
8) Sweettalking Bourbon

Race 10) 1 1/16 Miles Turf. Purse $100,000. Albert M. Stall Memorial S.FOR FILLIES AND MARES 4- YEAR OLD AND UPWARD.
5) Spirit And Glory – missed by a neck in G2 lastout
1) Watch This Birdie – closed from well back here last out
3) Creative Cairo – money jock; winner against similar last month
7) Fancy Martini – 6-time winner gets jock upgrade

Race 11) 1 1/16 Miles Dirt. Purse $250,000. Mineshaft S. Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard. 4yo & up
3) Best Actor – winner of 2-straight; bullet work; jock stays for 3rd time
5) Notary – exits a pair of tough Oaklawn starts (W/P); 9 of 15 at distance
7) Money Supply – 4-straight wins, 5 of last 6, don’t ignore
4) Gasoline – Curlin 5-year-old looks to rebound for top jock/trainer combo

Race 12) 1 1/8 Miles Turf. Purse $175,000. Fair Grounds S. Presented by Horse Racing Nation. 4yo & up
2) Chsing the Crown – exits a game win here; 9-straight in the money finishes
10) Beatbox – missed by a head here in the Col. Bradley; strong closer
3) Strong Quality – has won 2-of-3, last a gutsy gate-to-wire in in the Bradley
11) Gigante – returns following a dueling neck win in the Woodchopper