The Risen Star Stakes Tipsheet

A fantastic field of 13 sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Fair Grounds main strip in Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2). The “2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby” challenge series contest will reward the top-four finishers with points on a 50-20-10-5 structure.

 Risen Star Picks

• #11 Mandaloun
• #7 O Besos
• #5 Senor Buscador
• #2 Proxy
• #6 Midnight Bourbon

Free PDF Downloads for the Risen Star S.

 Risen Star Wagers

• $20 Win and Place 11
• $3 Exacta Key Box 11 with 2,5,6,7
• $1 Trifecta Key 11 with 2,5,6,7

 Risen Star Contenders

#1 STARRININMYDREAMS is unbeaten from two lifetime tries for Dallas Stewart. Super Saver colt has shown fine early foot on both occasions to date, and the bay could be a top-three contender with another forward move on Saturday. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call.

#2 PROXY stayed on well to be runner-up in the Lecomte S. (G3) on the surface last time out. Godolphin homebred has excellent experience on the oval, and he is a prime win threat on the stretch out for Stidham. John Velazquez riding adds to the appeal.

#3 BEEP BEEP was outrun in a local allowance test and will need a major move forward to upset this deep field. Tapizar colt will stalk the pace early on with Mena in the silks.

#4 CARILLO impressed with a nice debut tally going a mile at Aqueduct, and he makes his first appearance since attracting a final bid of $875,000 at Keeneland November. Union Rags colt lacks the experience of most in the field, but he could be any kind in his initial outing for Amoss.

#5 SENOR BUSCADOR put in a devastating late run to annex the Springboard Mile S. in fine fashion to run his mark to two-for-two. Sophomore son of Mineshaft has trained forwardly in the interim, and he will be the one to hold off late if he continues to ascend for Fincher.

#6 MIDNIGHT BOURBON led throughout in posting an impressive tally in the Lecomte in his latest endeavor. Asmussen pupil earned a sharp 99 Brisnet Late Pace figure in his local bow, and he looms large with something resembling his latest under Joe Talamo.

#7 O BESOS is a wildcard that will be dangerous if he handles the move to route racing for Foley. Orb colt was superb in a local sprint tally on the surface last time out, and he is bred to handle the stretch out in distance, as well. He will be a big price beneath Pedroza.

#8 SERMONONTHEMOUNT beat allowance foes at Delta in his last assignment, but he will need a major move forward to make the frame against this cast.

#9 DEFEATER drew off late in a sharp score win going six panels here for Amoss. Chestnut son of Union Rags makes a big class jump as well a stretch out in trip on Saturday, and I think that he faces a very tall task on Saturday.

#10 SANTA CRUISER made a belated run to be a distant fourth in the Lecomte, and he would be a surprise in the Risen Star for Desormeaux.

#11 MANDALOUN failed as the favorite when a solid third in the Lecomte while making his stakes debut for Brad Cox. Well-meant son of Into Mischief added blinkers in the interim, and he seems to have moved up with the equipment change following a pair of swift morning drills in advance of Saturday. Top pick retains Florent Geroux.

#12 KEEPINMYMIND exits a win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). Based at Oaklawn, the confirmed closer drew a tough outside post but has the class to factor. However, connections reportedly are going to scratch in favor of the upcoming Southwest S. (G3). Consider for underneath if they do elect to ship.

#13 RIGHTANDJUST wired an allowance field on the surface most recently, but he drew the widest post of all in this spot. Recent claim will be forwardly placed but is hard to back with confidence in his first stakes attempt.