2024 Risen Star Stakes at a Glance
The battle for qualifying factors for the Kentucky Derby introduced by Woodford Reserve takes on a brand new look Saturday with the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Truthful Grounds serving as the primary prep race providing 50 qualifying factors to the winner. That ought to be sufficient to safe a spot within the discipline of 20 for the Might 4 Kentucky Derby, however coming shut might be rewarding as properly with the second by fifth finishers getting 25-15-10-5 factors.
1. Tizzy Indy (50-1 morning-line odds): Was no issue within the Lecomte Stakes right here at Truthful Grounds final month and the $20,000 maiden claiming winner appears up towards it right here.
JOCKEY: James Graham; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux
2. Superior Ruta (30-1): Broke his maiden by 9 lengths however is winless in 4 begins since then. Looks like an unlikely spot for a return to high type.
JOCKEY: Mitchell Murrill; TRAINER: Joseph Foster
3. Honor Marie (6-1): Was a formidable winner of the Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes and has skilled sharply for his 3-year-old debut. Seems like one of many principal threats.
JOCKEY: Rafael Bejarano; TRAINER: Whitworth Beckman
4. Sierra Leone (4-1): The $2.3 million yearling rallied from final and appeared en path to victory within the stretch of the Remsen Stakes in simply his second begin. However then he misplaced momentum on a speed-favoring floor and fell brief by a nostril. Provides blinkers right here and may have a giant say with regard to the end result.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Chad Brown
5. Moonlight (12-1): Completed fourth within the Remsen, a little bit greater than seven lengths behind. Has the potential to take a step ahead in his 3-year-old debut and deserves consideration if the chances are proper.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
6. Actual Males Violin (8-1): Was second within the Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes and has a coach in Ken McPeek who can pull off a shock in a race like this. Can’t be neglected.
JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
7. Corridor of Fame (6-1): Spectacular maiden winner by 10 ¼ lengths in his second and most up-to-date begin. Has the connections and pedigree to be a big-time runner and absolutely seems like a contender right here.
JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr. ; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
8. Catching Freedom (5-1): Rallied properly to take the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Ought to just like the added distance and could also be getting higher on the proper time for coach Brad Cox.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Brad Cox
9. Cardinale (12-1): Confirmed good velocity earlier than shedding by a neck in his first strive navigating two turns. May very well be the one to butt heads on the entrance finish with Monitor Phantom and that will show to be pricey.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
10. Resilience (12-1): On the upswing with a decisive maiden win in his fourth begin. Skilled by 2023 Eclipse Award winner and Corridor of Famer Invoice Mott, he could make his presence felt if he takes one other ahead step.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Invoice Mott
11. Monitor Phantom (7-2): Seems just like the one to catch and beat. Used his early velocity to take the Lecomte Stakes and Gun Runner Stakes, the primary two of 4 Derby preps at Truthful Grounds. Ought to be extremely formidable right here however an out of doors publish, the added distance, and the potential for elevated early stress might current a troublesome impediment.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
12. Bee Dancer (20-1): A six-furlong debut winner breaking from post-position 12 is tough to love however his early velocity might add to the tempo stress for Monitor Phantom in a giant discipline.
JOCKEY: Corey Lanerie; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
THE PICK: Sierra Leone
LIVE LONGSHOT: Moonlight
SUPERFECTA: 4-11-3-7
