By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman
We've already encountered some tough handicapping
challenges on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, but sorting out the contenders in
the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II)
on February 17th at Fair Grounds could be the toughest task yet.
It's not that the 8.5-furlong race lacks a clear favorite-that
honor goes to Instilled Regard, and
deservedly so. But even if you think Instilled Regard is a lock (a difficult
stand to take in a race like this), sorting out who will finish behind him is
easier said than done.
Of the ten entrants, four of them last ran in the January
13th Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds, a race in which
Instilled Regard was much the best. Tracking the pace while racing wide, the
Jerry Hollendorfer colt pounced to the lead around the far turn and drew off in
the homestretch, crossing the wire 3 ¾ lengths in front while earning a 92
Beyer speed figure. That figure matched the number he received for his strong
run in the December 9th Los Almitos Cash Call Futurity (gr. I), in
which he crossed the wire less than a length behind the talented pair of
Solomini and McKinzie, two of the most accomplished colts on the Derby trail.
With form lines like that, plus a proven affinity for
Fair Grounds and an ideal post draw (he's landed in gate five), it's hard to
knock Instilled Regard's chances of winning the Risen Star. He'll be carrying a
bit more weight on Saturday (120 pounds, up from 116 in the Lecomte) and facing
a tougher field, but he figures to work out a perfect trip settling behind the
leaders and getting first run turning for home, a setup that could very well
lead to another victory.
Trainer Todd
Pletcher has won this race three times since 2010 and will send out Noble Indy in search of a fourth
victory. The speedy son of Take Charge Indy is a perfect 2-for-2 thus far,
having broken his maiden sprinting seven furlongs at Gulfstream by 8 ¾ lengths
before stretching out to a mile and sixteenth and defeating the capable
Mississippi in a hard-fought stretch battle. But though the finish was close,
it's worth noting that Noble Indy finished with his ears up, a sign that he may
have had something in reserve.
The question is, what kind of trip will Noble Indy
receive in the Risen Star? He pretty much has to gun for the lead from post
two, and I have to think he'll face a challenge on the front end from Principe Guilherme, who hails from the
barn of Steve Asmussen. The son of Tapit began his career with a pair of gate-to-wire
blowout victories, including an 11 ¾-length romp in a one-mile and 70-yard
allowance optional claiming race at Fair Grounds.
But when stepping up in class for the Lecomte Stakes (gr.
III), Principe Guilherme endured a tough trip from post ten, getting caught
wide on both turns while racing in mid-pack, a significant change in running style.
Despite these obstacles, Principe Guilherme rallied gamely in the homestretch
to finish second, though he was no match on the day for Instilled Regard. Don't
be surprised if Principe Guilherme is asked for more speed in the Risen Star,
especially since he'll once again be breaking from a wide draw.
The possibility of a contested pace could play to the
strengths of Bravazo, who has shown flashes
of major talent during his six starts to date. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas,
Bravazo burst onto the scene last year when finishing second at 47-1 in the
Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland, four lengths behind the well-regarded
Free Drop Billy. Bravazo was subsequently beaten to third in the Street Sense
Stakes and tenth without an obvious excuse in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes
(gr. II), but he rebounded in a big way on January 13th to win an
allowance optional claiming race at Oaklawn Park in impressive fashion.
Granted, his margin of victory was only a neck, but I
loved everything about Bravazo's performance. After settling in fifth place
early on, about five lengths off the pace, Bravazo had to make an early move
around the far turn to catch up with the front-running Ezmosh, who had secured
a clear lead early on and was extending his advantage with ease around the
turn. Bravazo had to use his run just to reach even terms at the top of the
stretch and had every excuse to flatten out at that point, but instead, Bravazo
gamely battled with Ezmosh through the length of the homestretch to win in
narrow fashion with the third-place finisher nine lengths behind.
For that effort, Bravazo received a solid 89 Beyer speed
figure, putting him squarely in the mix against his Risen Star rivals. As a son
of Awesome Again out of a Cee's Tizzy mare, Bravazo is bred to improve with
maturity and might just be getting good. He'll need to elevate his game to
another level to beat Instilled Regard, but if his 8-1 morning line odds hold
up, I think he'll offer a lot of value.
For the top spot, I could go either way between Instilled Regard and Bravazo, but keeping in mind that many
impressive Lecomte winners have suffered reversals of fortune in the Risen Star
(think Oxbow, Vicar's in Trouble, Mo Tom, and Guest Suite from the last few
years), I'll side with Bravazo and hope that he can step up his game at a nice
price.
Now it's your turn! Who do you like in the Risen Star?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as "Keelerman") is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. He is the founder of the horse racing website www.theturfboard.com.
