Handicapping the Risen Star’s: Favorites in Division 1; Longshots take Division 2

By Rick Francis —-

Full fields await both divisions of the Grade 2 Risen Star, each carrying a purse of $400k and a 85 valuable Kentucky Derby points; let’s have a look at the contenders.

Race 12) 1&1/8th Mile. Risen Star S. presented by Lamarque Ford Grade II. Purse $400,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
Post Time: 6:38/( 5:38)/ 4:38/ 3:38
ADVANCED FORECAST: Sunny, High 62, Low 56

8) Enforceable (Casse/Leparoux); Tapit colt had the perfect trip in winning the G3 LeComte last out, settling well back off a solid pace and taking full advantage of Fair Grounds long, he rolled past the leaders and won by almost two lengths; Casse knows a little about winning this contest.

2) Silver State (Asmussen/Santana); Hard Spun colt also took advantage of pace and stretch and was rolling late;, today’s extra 16th today factors.

7) Blackberry Wine (Sharp/Beschizza); battled gamely after being headed in the stretch to get past OC’s here a month ago; Oxbow colt will once again be forwardly placed and they’ll have to catch him.

9) Mr. Monmoy (Cox/Geroux); chased the top two finishers in the Lecomte just couldn’t catch ’em; he’s got the skills, but he also had them a month ago.

Noteworthy Longshot:

3) Ready to Roll (Calhoun/Saez); take note of his Oaklawn score last out where he wired a deep OC field in the mud.

Selections: 8, 2, 7, 9, and 3

Race 13) 1&1/8th Mile. Risen Star S. presented by Lamarque Ford Grade II. Purse $400,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS
Post Time: 7:12/( 6:12)/ 5:12/ 4:12

11) Mailman Money (Calhoun/Saez); Medaglia d’Oro colt is a perfect 2-for-2 both against solid fields at Churchill and last month here.

7) Major Fed (Foley/Leparoux); Ghostzapper colt raced wide throughout and yet dominated OC’s to kickoff the New Year; sneaky fast work tab.

2) Truculent (Sisterson/Carroll); went gate-to-wire breaking his maiden here in November; another whose works merit a close look.

3) Mr. Big News (Calhoun/Albarado); has shown marked improvement in each of his last two, both here.

Selections: 11, 7, 2, 3