Saturday, Feb. 17 marks an essential level on the highway to the 2024 Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve because the prep schedule set by Churchill Downs reaches its subsequent degree. The $400,000, Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Truthful Grounds in New Orleans is the primary prep race that gives 105 qualifying factors for the 150th Derby to the highest 5 finishers, distributed on a 50-25-15-10-5 foundation.
Ending first or second within the Risen Star will due to this fact go a great distance towards securing a spot within the Derby beginning gate on Could 4 – and because of this, the Risen Star drew a aggressive 12-horse area that features native star Monitor Phantom, who received each of Truthful Grounds’ earlier Derby factors races, in addition to an intriguing group of prospects transport in from different tracks. For a number of of those contenders, the Risen Star will function a tune-up for Truthful Grounds’ remaining Kentucky Derby prep, the $1 million Louisiana Derby on March 23. The Louisiana Derby gives 200 qualifying factors for the Kentucky Derby to the highest 5 finishers.
First held in 1973, the Risen Star is known as after the 1988 race winner who went on to complete third within the Kentucky Derby after which win the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The one Risen Star Stakes winner to coach on and earn a Kentucky Derby victory was Mandaloun in 2021, and that horse was formally established because the Kentucky Derby victor solely just lately, when a lawsuit difficult Medina Spirit’s disqualification from first within the Derby was withdrawn. Examine a number of the greatest Risen Star Stakes winners all through its historical past on this function.
The Risen Star, held at 1 1/8 miles on Truthful Grounds’ dust observe, might be broadcast reside on FanDuel TV with a scheduled put up time of seven:17 p.m. ET.
Study extra about all the Risen Star entrants and get evaluation of the race under:
1. Tizzy Indy (50-1 morning-line odds)
Jockey: James Graham
Coach: Keith Desormeaux
Proprietor: Calumet Farm
Profession document: 7 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third
Profession earnings: $53,750
Earnings per begin: $7,679
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 72
Kentucky Derby factors: 2
Pedigree: Take Cost Indy – Tizzy Fever, by Tiznow
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Working fashion: Stalker/nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Tizzy Indy comes into the Risen Star off of a fifth-place end within the Jan. 20 Lecomte Stakes at Truthful Grounds, received by Monitor Phantom. These are the one two Risen Star starters which are wheeling again after working within the 1 1/16-mile Lecomte, and this colt was not a think about his prep, trailing the sphere led by gate-to-wire winner Monitor Phantom for a lot of the race and ending up 13 ¼ lengths again. He completed third in a one-mile turf race at Truthful Grounds and second in a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance race on dust at Churchill Downs in his two begins previous to the Lecomte, and his solely win in seven begins total additionally got here at Churchill when he received a maiden claiming race held at a one-turn mile by 4 ¼ lengths in early November of final 12 months. His connections should be revered, little doubt – coach Keith Desormeaux and jockey James Graham received the 2013 Risen Star with 135.20-1 longshot Ive Struck a Nerve. Tizzy Indy received’t go off at equally astronomical odds Saturday, however he ought to be within the 50-1 vary of his morning-line estimate primarily based on his document thus far, and it’s exhausting to see how he might do any greater than fill out the superfecta together with his greatest effort. Brad Kelley’s Calumet Farm received the 2018 Risen Star with longshot Bravazo, who subsequently completed second to Triple Crown winner Justify within the Preakness Stakes.
2. Superior Ruta (30-1)
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill
Coach: Joseph Foster
Homeowners: Tri-Star Racing and Cimarron TTT Farms
Profession document: 6 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $43,570
Earnings per begin: $7,262
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 84
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Mendelssohn – Superior Prayer, by Superior Once more
Coloration: Bay
Working fashion: Stalker/nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This colt would possibly vie with Tizzy Indy drawn to his inside for the longest shot within the Risen Star area come put up time Saturday night. Superior Ruta enters off of a third-place end in a six-furlong allowance-optional claiming race on a sloppy observe at Truthful Grounds on Jan. 18, the place he raced in third in a six-horse area at each level of name and ran evenly with out ever threatening, ending 5 ¼ lengths behind the highest two horses that had been separated by a neck. His lone profession win got here by a powerful 9 lengths in September 2023 in a six-furlong dash at Louisiana Downs, and Superior Ruta did observe that effort up with a near-miss in his stakes debut, shedding the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs by a neck at odds of 42.70-1. The Jean Lafitte was held at seven furlongs, nevertheless, and on this colt’s solely race longer than that he completed fifth of seven and defeated by 11 lengths in a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional claiming race at Truthful Grounds final November that was received by subsequent Gun Runner Stakes runner-up Snead. Superior Ruta has tailed off in type since shifting to a harder circuit at Truthful Grounds and might be exhausting pressed to have even a minor say within the Risen Star end result.
3. Honor Marie (6-1)
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Coach: D. Whitworth Beckman
Homeowners: Ribble Farms, Michael Eiserman, Earl Silver, Kenneth Fishbein, and Daniel Fishbein
Profession document: 3 begins – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $318,175
Earnings per begin: $106,058
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 98
Kentucky Derby factors: 10
Pedigree: Honor Code – Dame Marie, by Good Strike
Coloration: Bay
Working fashion: Nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: With a number of Risen Star contenders from established trainers transport in to problem Monitor Phantom within the Risen Star, there’s an opportunity that Honor Marie may be missed considerably by bettors when the beginning gates open. In that case, he might symbolize the perfect worth play within the race primarily based on each his document as a 2-year-old final fall and his velocity figures that are among the many quickest within the area. The Honor Code colt skilled by up-and-coming Whit Beckman began thrice final fall at Churchill Downs, rallying strongly late to win his debut in a six-furlong dash, working second to subsequent Remington Springboard Mile Stakes winner Otto the Conqueror in a seven-furlong allowance-optional claimer, after which dealing with his two-turn debut with aplomb when successful the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes by two lengths over Actual Males Violin on Nov. 25. All techniques are go for his 3-year-old debut after a three-month break, and he’s been coaching steadily at Truthful Grounds since shifting south. Stretching out to 1 1/8 miles ought to be no downside in any respect primarily based on his pedigree, and his common jockey Rafael Bejarano, who’s primarily based at Oaklawn Park in the course of the winter, flies in to trip as effectively. There are a handful of Risen Star entrants who stand a stable likelihood of successful in the event that they present up with their “A” sport, and Honor Marie is unquestionably one among them.
4. Sierra Leone (4-1)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Coach: Chad Brown
Homeowners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Brook Smith, and Peter Brant
Profession document: 2 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $96,750
Earnings per begin: $48,375
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 99
Kentucky Derby factors: 5
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Working fashion: Nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This well-bred son of 2016 Risen Star winner and 2017 Horse of the Yr Gun Runner is scheduled to make his extremely anticipated 3-year-old debut in Saturday’s renewal, and he’s already extremely rated on many specialists’ lists of Kentucky Derby prospects primarily based on the potential he displayed in solely two begins final fall as a 2-year-old. A $2.3 million buy as a yearling, Sierra Leone debuted at Aqueduct on Nov. 4 and received a one-turn mile race going away by 1 ¼ lengths with a powerful stretch rally. He then was bumped as much as face a lot harder firm within the two-turn, 1 1/8-mile Remsen Stakes Dec. 2 on a muddy observe at Aqueduct, and made one other sustained cost – this time from final of 10 horses – to take the lead in midstretch. Sierra Leone confirmed his inexperience when challenged within the remaining strides by favored Dornoch, nevertheless, and appeared to hesitate when that rival ranged as much as duel him on the within. Sierra Leone misplaced by a nostril in an effort that was nonetheless very encouraging for his long-term prospects, and he’s been posting regular exercises for coach Chad Brown in Florida over the previous month in preparation for his return to the observe. It’s all the time a little bit of a thriller as to how effectively 2-year-old prospects develop over the winter, and if Sierra Leone has certainly matured he’ll be a principal win risk within the Risen Star. Notably, Chad Brown can even put blinkers on his cost for Saturday’s return with the objective of serving to him enhance focus within the stretch. Tyler Gaffalione will trip for the primary time Saturday; he received the 2019 Risen Star aboard eventual Preakness Stakes winner Struggle of Will.
5. Moonlight (12-1)
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Coach: Todd Pletcher
Homeowners: City and Nation Racing and Madaket Stables
Profession document: 4 begins – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $125,500
Earnings per begin: $31,375
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 89
Kentucky Derby factors: 7
Pedigree: Audible – Sunset, by Tapit
Coloration: Grey or roan
Working fashion: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: The primary of two Risen Star entrants skilled by Corridor of Famer Todd Pletcher comes into the race off of a fourth-place effort within the Dec. 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. Within the 1 1/8-mile Remsen, Moonlight settled close to the again of the 10-horse area together with Sierra Leone and tried to rally racing on a muddy observe, however he flattened out to finish up 7 ¼ lengths behind that rival and nostril winner Dornoch. The Audible colt additionally encountered an off observe in his stakes debut on Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs, and ran a decent second of 5 within the 1 1/16-mile Avenue Sense Stakes within the slop behind Liberal Arts, who just lately got here again in his 3-year-old bow to complete third within the Southwest Stakes. Moonlight’s maiden win got here in his second profession begin again in September going a one-turn mile on Aqueduct’s principal observe in a race initially scheduled for turf, which he received going away by eight lengths. This colt seems to have loads of untapped potential and in addition a stable pedigree for dealing with route races. He’s one among a number of Risen Star contenders who might extra firmly safe a place on the Kentucky Derby factors leaderboard with a top-three end, though he’ll have to enhance his velocity figures by round 8-10 factors from his 2-year-old degree to take action. Pletcher has three Risen Star victories on his résumé: Discreetly Mine (2010), El Padrino (2012), and Intense Vacation (2014). Jockey Florent Geroux, who will trip Moonlight for the primary time, has additionally received this race thrice, with the aforementioned Gun Runner (2016), Mr. Monomoy (2020), and subsequent Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun (2021). Sol Kumin’s Madaket Stables co-owned Mr. Monomoy. Of word: Moonlight can be entered in an allowance non-compulsory claiming race Feb. 17 at Truthful Grounds, however Pletcher informed Day by day Racing Type that he expects to race Moonlight within the Lecomte.
6. Actual Males Violin (8-1)
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Coach: Ken McPeek
Homeowners: Tilted Shamrock Stables
Profession document: 6 begins – 1 win – 4 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $216,825
Earnings per begin: $36,138
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 95
Kentucky Derby factors: 5
Pedigree: Mendelssohn – Meg Fitz, by Tapit
Coloration: Chestnut
Working fashion: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Actual Males Violin joins Honor Marie in making his 3-year-old debut within the Risen Star off of a three-month break and getting back from a begin within the Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs. The Mendelssohn colt made what seemed to be a successful transfer whereas rallying from a stalking spot alongside the rail within the Kentucky Jockey Membership, solely to accept second by two lengths when Honor Marie confirmed a stronger kick charging to his exterior. He ran effectively in all six of his begins in 2023, together with two turf races, and has but to complete worse than third. His lone victory can be notable, because it got here one begin previous to the Kentucky Jockey Membership in a one-turn mile race at Churchill, the place he edged Monitor Phantom by a half-length. That runner, as talked about above and under, has skilled on to win each of Truthful Grounds’ Kentucky Derby preps thus far and can vie for post-time favoritism within the Risen Star. Actual Males Violin has been coaching steadily at Truthful Grounds for Ken McPeek, and Brian Hernandez Jr., who has been aboard for his previous 4 begins, retains the mount. Hernandez is having fun with a stable meet at his winter base of Truthful Grounds, and he just lately traveled to Oaklawn Park to win the Southwest Stakes on McPeek-trained Mystik Dan. Primarily based on these credentials, Actual Males Violin is a stable longshot candidate to win the Risen Star and a must-use horse for exacta and trifecta bets. McPeek received the 2002 Risen Star with Repent, and Hernandez rode 2017 winner Girvin. The pair completed second in final 12 months’s Risen Star with Solar Thunder.
7. Corridor of Fame (6-1)
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Coach: Steve Asmussen
Homeowners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Gandharvi, and Brooke Smith
Profession document: 2 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $60,000
Earnings per begin: $30,000
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 97
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Flag Day, by Large’s Causeway
Coloration: Chestnut
Working fashion: Press the tempo/stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This Gun Runner colt turned heads in his second profession begin and 3-year-old debut Jan. 20 at Truthful Grounds, romping by 10 ¼ lengths over seven opponents in a 1 1/16-mile maiden race that was run as Race 5 on the Lecomte Stakes card. That was his first begin going two turns and represented an 18-point enchancment in Equibase Velocity Determine (and an even-more spectacular 28-point leap in Beyer Velocity Determine) over the quantity earned when he completed second of 11 in a seven-furlong maiden again on Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs. Now, Corridor of Fame takes a giant class leap for begin quantity three to face stablemate Monitor Phantom and a number of other different extremely rated horses within the Risen Star. Primarily based on potential, he suits proper in with this area (and arguably may very well be positioned on the very high as a $1.4 million yearling buy for the Coolmore workforce and companions). He’ll clearly must take one other leap in growth to safe a top-two end, and it’s notable though not very stunning that Joel Rosario, who rode each Corridor of Fame and Monitor Phantom of their Jan. 20 victories, stays aboard the two-time stakes winner within the Risen Star. Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. travels from Oaklawn Park for the mount, and he ought to have Corridor of Fame positioned near the tempo set by Monitor Phantom and presumably Cardinale earlier than asking him for his greatest on the far flip. Asmussen is in search of his fourth Risen Star victory after successful with Pyro in 2008, Gun Runner in 2016, and Epicenter in 2022.
8. Catching Freedom (5-1)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Coach: Brad Cox
Proprietor: Albaugh Household Stables
Profession document: 3 begins – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $237,350
Earnings per begin: $79,117
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 97
Kentucky Derby factors: 10
Pedigree: Structure – Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile
Coloration: Bay
Working fashion: Nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Catching Freedom is one more win candidate in a stacked Risen Star area. He ships in from Oaklawn Park after displaying encouraging growth in his 3-year-old debut on New Yr’s Day, taking the 1 1/16-mile Smarty Jones Stakes by 2 ½ lengths after rallying from off the tempo. That effort got here after a two-month layoff following a pair of begins at Churchill Downs. He encountered site visitors hassle in each of his juvenile races, overcoming tight quarters to win a one-turn-mile maiden race by 3 ¾ lengths in October on the Louisville observe after which settling for fourth of 10 in a 1 1/16-mile, two-turn allowance-optional claiming race on Nov. 9. Within the Smarty Jones, he was angled out 4 extensive by jockey Cristian Torres for clear working room and surged to a powerful victory. Search for first-time rider Luis Saez, who travels from Florida’s Gulfstream Park, to try an identical journey within the Risen Star. Saez, coach Brad Cox, and proprietor Albaugh Household Stables received final 12 months’s Risen Star with off-the-pace runner Angel of Empire, who later received the Arkansas Derby and completed third within the Kentucky Derby. Cox additionally received this race in 2020 with Mr. Monomoy and in 2021 with Mandaloun, who was moved as much as Kentucky Derby winner by way of disqualification. Catching Freedom has gone off because the post-time favourite in all three of his begins thus far. Search for that streak to finish Saturday, however he nonetheless ought to be among the many high three or 4 betting selections and could be anticipated to validate these odds primarily based on his present type.
9. Cardinale (12-1)
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Coach: Todd Pletcher
Proprietor: Stonestreet Stables
Profession document: 2 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $39,840
Earnings per begin: $19,920
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 85
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Speightstown – Silly Dwelling, by Medaglia d’Oro
Coloration: Bay
Working fashion: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Cardinale ships into New Orleans from south Florida for Todd Pletcher having made each of his begins at Gulfstream Park. He debuted final November in a six-furlong maiden race and received by 1 ¾ lengths regardless of racing on his incorrect lead within the stretch. After a six-week break, the Speightstown colt returned for a two-turn check in a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional claiming race, the place he dueled with race favourite Change of Command all through and stored on gamely by the stretch earlier than yielding by a neck. That was a great step ahead for Cardinale from age 2 to three as he boosted his Equibase Velocity Determine by 13 factors to an 85 and his Beyer Velocity Determine 24 factors to an 83. On the unfavourable aspect, Change of Command dissatisfied in his subsequent begin, checking in 11th of 12 and ending forward of solely a riderless horse in final Saturday’s Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. This Stonestreet Stables homebred might want to make one other ahead transfer in capability to contend within the Risen Star, however he has a few benefits because the race shapes up on paper: 1) he possesses good tactical velocity in a area that’s comprised largely of come-from-behind sorts, other than Monitor Phantom; and a pair of) he receives the providers of standout jockey Flavien Prat, who flies in from California to trip for the primary time. Search for Prat to be aggressive with Cardinale and presumably problem Monitor Phantom for the early lead in an try to tug the upset. The colt may have blinkers eliminated for the Risen Star. Pletcher’s three Risen Star victories got here with Discreetly Mine in 2010, El Padrino in 2012, and Intense Vacation in 2014.
10. Resilience (12-1)
Jockey: John Velazquez
Coach: Invoice Mott
Homeowners: Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman
Profession document: 4 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third
Profession earnings: $78,630
Earnings per begin: $19,658
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 91
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Meadowsweet, by Good Strike
Coloration: Bay
Working fashion: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This son of main sire Into Mischief profiles as an upset candidate within the Risen Star at what figures to be odds within the 15-1 vary, though he’ll must each take one other step in growth and have a handful of his opponents degree off or decline for that to occur. Resilience knocked heads with a number of horses presently on the Kentucky Derby factors leaderboard over three begins as a 2-year-old final fall, ending second in an October maiden race going a one-turn mile at Churchill Downs, and one size forward of third-place Monitor Phantom, earlier than closing out the season with a third-place effort behind Nash in a two-turn, 1 1/16-mile maiden race. He then was shelved for practically two months earlier than returning in a 1 1/16-mile maiden race round two turns at Gulfstream Park on New Yr’s Day, which he received by a powerful 4 ¼ lengths. Corridor of Fame jockey John Velazquez was aboard Resilience for that win and can journey from South Florida for the mount Saturday. This runner, like a number of different middle-tier win candidates within the race, might want to enhance his velocity figures by round 10-15 factors so as to pull the upset, and he’s eligible to just do that in his second begin at age 3 for latest Eclipse Award-winning coach Invoice Mott. Resilience has an impressive pedigree for stamina as an in depth relative of a number of horses who excelled competing in races at a mile or longer, together with his millionaire second dam (maternal grandmother), Tranquility Lake. Mott received this race in 2020 with Modernist when it was cut up into two divisions, and in addition received it in 1984 with Taylor’s Particular when it was named the Louisiana Derby Trial Stakes.
11. Monitor Phantom (7-2)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Coach: Steve Asmussen
Homeowners: L and N Racing, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom, and Breeze Straightforward
Profession document: 5 begins – 3 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Profession earnings: $285,000
Earnings per begin: $57,000
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 100
Kentucky Derby factors: 30
Pedigree: High quality Highway – Miss Sundown, by Into Mischief
Coloration: Bay
Working fashion: Pacesetter/press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: The check will get harder Saturday for this high-class competitor, as Monitor Phantom is scheduled to face the identical variety of horses – 11 – within the Risen Star as he did in his two prior stakes wins at Truthful Grounds mixed. The Kentucky-based Steve Asmussen trainee ran very effectively in his first three profession begins at Churchill Downs final fall, ending third (behind runner-up Resilience), second (to Actual Males Violin), after which first by 4 ¾ lengths in his maiden races. Monitor Phantom then elevated his sport as soon as transport south, taking each the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner Stakes Dec. 23 at Truthful Grounds after which the Jan. 20 Lecomte Stakes on the similar distance and observe. Monitor Phantom raced simply off of the early tempo within the Gun Runner earlier than taking on and drawing clear to a 1 ¼-length win, after which was aggressively despatched to ascertain an early lead below Joel Rosario within the Lecomte and by no means was challenged in a 2 ¾-length rating. Rosario additionally rode Monitor Phantom to his November maiden win at Churchill Downs going 1 1/16 miles, and there’s no purpose to count on this colt to be anyplace worse than second within the early phases of the Risen Star. As alluded to above, he’ll face a stronger area Saturday than he did within the Gun Runner and the Lecomte, and it will likely be fascinating to see if Monitor Phantom goes off because the post-time favourite contemplating he drew a far exterior put up and would possibly should be hustled out of the gate so as to transfer over and save floor. If Rosario can steer Monitor Phantom into a great early place and is ready to get him comfy in a great cruising velocity as he did within the Risen Star, he may very well be on their lonesome in entrance as soon as once more, and due to this fact a giant risk to select up stakes win quantity three within the Massive Straightforward. Asmussen has received the Risen Star three earlier occasions: Pyro (2008), Gun Runner (2016), and Epicenter (2022), the final of those with Rosario within the saddle.
12. Bee Dancer (20-1)
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Coach: Dallas Stewart
Proprietor: Charles Fipke
Profession document: 1 begin – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $36,000
Earnings per begin: $36,000
High Equibase Velocity Determine: 86
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Bee Jersey – Dance Star, by Sea The Stars
Coloration: Darkish bay or brown
Working fashion: Press the tempo/stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Making a second profession begin in a $400,000 stakes towards a full area already equals a tricky project, and this Charles Fipke homebred faces one other impediment after drawing the far exterior put up. Bee Dancer takes the plunge into deeper waters after making a powerful debut on the Jan. 20 Lecomte Stakes undercard at Truthful Grounds, the place he saved floor early in a six-furlong maiden race, angled out from a stalking spot to maneuver previous the 2 horses in entrance of him, after which held off a late rally to win by a size. He didn’t change to his appropriate lead till nearing the end line however did reply after doing so and completed effectively below Brian Hernandez Jr. That jockey will trip Actual Males Violin within the Risen Star, and Bee Dancer will get the providers of Corey Lanerie, who’s off to a stable begin on the Truthful Grounds meet and surpassed 5,000 profession victories final fall. Will probably be fascinating to see how Lanerie rides Bee Dancer early given his draw from post-position 12 and simply exterior of projected pacesetter Monitor Phantom. If Lanerie can situate Bee Dancer in a stalking place by the backstretch, this colt has the pedigree to deal with 1 1/16 miles and will nonetheless be within the combine when the sphere turns for residence with a shot to fill out the trifecta and/or superfecta at hefty odds. Coach Dallas Stewart received the 2001 Risen Star with Greenback Invoice.
