A Risen Star Stakes Saturday

 A fabulous Fair Grounds card is in the offing on this Stakes Saturday as we look at another Derby points prep, The Risen Star.

Fair Grounds Race 14 {Risen Star~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A fantastic field of twelve will go to the gate in search of Kentucky Derby points.

Past Performances used:  DRF Formulator.

All in this field will stretch out in distance. This is a key Derby prep race. All seem to be well prepped to race well. Speed figures are fairly close. There is plenty of speed to churn a strong pace. Half the field has raced over the Fair Ground track. Only one will try the dirt for the first time. It should be a terrific race to cap off a superb card.

#4 East Avenue (Gaffalione / B. Walsh) is the deserved favorite. It is hard to get around him as the choice for victory. He should be the controlling speed and could wire the field. Others may press, but his four super strong workouts show he should prevail. This will be his first start this year. He does have the highest speed number of the field. A son of Medaglia d'Oro, he holds a 66% win rate from three starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#3 Vassimo (I. Ortiz / Pletcher) makes his third start in the form cycle. He holds the second highest (tie) last out speed number and two solid workouts. Look for him to sit right behind the leaders looking for an opening on the close. He will try to make it three wins in a row. A son of Nyquist, he has a win rate of 100% from two starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#7 Septarian (Prat / C. Brown) comes in from Gulfstream and should be expected to track the pace closely and strike in the stretch. He stretches out from a mile with three sensational workouts, including two bullets. A son of Protonico, he is 100% in the money from three starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#13 Magnitude (Curtis / Asmussen) is another that should track the pace closely and sprout into the stretch. He has run at Fair Grounds in his last two. Two sound peaking workouts add to his cause. A son of Not This Time, he is 50% in the money from six starts.

#9 Built (L. Saez / Catalano) is another Fair Grounds favoring runner with the third highest last out speed number and two efficient workouts. He has the tactical speed to adapt to the pace. A son of Hard Spun, he is 100% in the money from four starts.

#10 Render Judgement (B. Hernandez / McPeek) holds the fourth highest last out speed number and two superb workouts. This guy has hit the board over the Fair Grounds track. Look for him to track the pace ready to spring into the stretch. A son of Blame, he is 75% in the money from four starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#4 East Avenue  ///  #3 Vassimo,  #7 Septarian,  #13 Magnitude,  #9 Built,  #10 Render Judgement.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#3,  #7,  #13,  #9,  #10  ///  #4 East Avenue.

Best of Luck with all your Stakes Saturday wagers!!!