2/19/22

  11  FG    Risen Star Stakes (GII) [KYD]

             $400.000     3yo       1 1/8m       Dirt            122lbs

The road to Louisville winds through FG as we look at the field for the 2022 Risen Star Stakes (GII) and it’s good to see that most of the big stables brought their fillies to see where the holes are in the system.  Five of the twelve are of the female persuasion… you know, just like real life racing.  I’m not even venturing a guess today… this will be a race where I sit back, watch the festivities and depending on how things go, this may be my final TC coverage, at least for a while.  I think Smokey Stover has a nice horse in Boardwalk Empire, but with things being the way they are, I wouldn’t bet a wooden nickel.

Here’s The Field – 

Two lifetime wins from this one and he looked good taking the Best Pal (GII) at DMR back last summer, but it’s been an up-hill battle since that race.  He was seventh of twelve in a Cal-bred stakes at SA after a trio of up-the-track finishes vs graded company, so he needs to turn it around in a big way. 

Broke maiden at CT then was sold, showing a pair of runner-up stakes efforts for the new barn, and also closed a late gap to be fourth in the Southwest at OP last out.  The added distance looks like something he will want, so you may want to keep an eye on this one. 

Claimed for a mere $16.000 but it’s been nothing but checks for this one.  Broke maiden, then ran well in a couple of Alw races before that near miss over this track in the Silverbulletday where she closed a late gap.  We all know the “girl power” right now, so she could be dangerous. 

Another young lady that’s done well for herself showing three wins from five starts and changed hands over to Mb via Private Purchase prior to this race.  She won the Golden Rod (GII) and just missed when fourth in the Santa Yenez (GII) and looks to want a route of ground.  She’s another that has to be watched. 

He’s only missed the board one time in seven races and that was in the Breeders Futurity (GI) at KEE where he was fifth after setting the pace.  He certainly loves to get on the front end and see how far it can take him.  Do they use the same tactics today?

Nice win at TAM last out taking the Pasco for his first stakes score.  He struggled a bit in the LA Futurity (GII), his only graded effort, but certainly bounced back, so he could be any type and should be given a punchers chance here. 

He almost upset the apple cart in his most recent closing a late gap to be the runner-up in the Jerome at 96/1 odds.  He’s been close in most races, although he was eleventh in the Bashford Manor (GIII) at CD.  If he runs back to that last out race and with the added distance, he could be in the picture down the lane. 

Nothing bad to say about this one, two starts, two wins and he just toyed with them in that Alw race at SA, winning by two.  Both of those races were on the grass, so the move to the main track could be interesting, but there’s nothing to say he shouldn’t keep it going here. 

Third entry and second filly for Mb in this race.  She broke maiden vs. Fla-breds at GP and was third in the Rags To Riches.  Also shows a fourth over this track in the Silverbulletday and the way things have been playing out, she looks like they exact type that has been winning in these races.  Don’t ignore her. 

Back to back wins sprinting on the grass, breaking maiden then winning the Speakeasy, then had a pair of nice runs as the runner-up in the BC Juv Turf Sprint (GII) and a third in the LA Futurity (GII).  Took a bit of a step back last out running fifth in the Lecomte (GIII) over this oval, but the vet paid a visit so it’s time to concentrate on being a race horse. 

Keep the little ladies coming and this one has three wins from her last four starts, and was third in the other race.  Two wins vs. PA-bred fillies before that closing third in the Demsole (GII) at AQU.  Came back to just run away in the Busanda, opening a huge lead and just cruising.  She can run.

From the originator of the f vs. m in sophomore stakes, this one has two wins from three starts breaking maiden at first asking then taking the Myrtlewood at KEE before that even fifth in the Gasparilla at TAM last out.  The post does her no favors. 

Scratched

Scratched

COZMAN    N/A            Willie’s Green Card      5 / 8            

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES, TC 2021-2023, THE TRIPLE CROWN