Risen Star Stakes – Grade II [KYD]
1 1/8 Mile Dirt Graded Stake Purse $500.000 Three-Year-Olds. At FG

1st      Bold Intruder                 The Sidley Stud                12-1 (HRP) 12-1 (SRF)

Bold Intruder had never raced in a Graded stakes race before this race and had serious fails in his two stakes races leading up to this race, but he looked like a Graded stakes pro coming down the stretch from as far back as ninth on the back stretch. As they turned into the stretch, he had already found third only a length off, and it was just a matter of cruising by the leaders. With the gift of hindsight, you can see it was just a matter of a talented closer learning to time the pace and catch a timing that suited him. He sure looks like he’s going to be tough in days to come. Add one more to the list of prequalified Derby runners.

2nd      People Batty                 Night Rider Stables      11-1 (HRP) 9-2 (SRF)

First off, I’d like to thank Raj for naming this horse after me. The family at Night Rider Stables have to be enjoying the ride with this lad. People Batty is already qualified for the KYD thanks to his win in the Grade II LA Futurity, so he is just running around increasing his stock for the Big Show, and at this rate he should be well liked indeed. He broke on top of this go and took the lead into the stretch until Bold Intruder hauled him in mid-stretch and scored a three-quarter length win. Good chops.

3rd      Strike                   D J C Racing Stables                 5-1 (HRP) 7-2 (SRF)

For Strike, only his fifth start, but he seems to get tougher every time the gate opens. Bear in mind, this is a deep closer, so he has that nasty timing problem to deal with, and he is handling it gloriously hitting the board four straight. At this rate, he won’t have to worry about win and you’re in because he will have racked up enough points to qualify.

4th      Forward Facing                         Pan Farms                       81-1 (HRP) 20-1 (SRF)

I think it’s safe to say no one saw Forward Facing coming. He was the bottom choice on both HRP and SRF prognostications, and as you entered the stretch, you had to look a long way back to tenth to see him through the clouds he was about to drop out of and wind up fourth, beaten only a length.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES