Predicteform.com’s Upset Watch: Risen Star Stakes
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War Story (above in the post parade for the Lecomte Stakes on Jan. 17) looks poised for a big performance at what figures to be an appealing price on Saturday at Fair Grounds in the Risen Star Stakes. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
This week’s upset watch pick comes to us from Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. and the Grade 2 $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.
This ultra-competitive field is led by expected favorite Imperia, who is making his first start as a three-year-old. He hasn’t raced in almost three months, which is a good angle to take a stand against.
War Story (5-1 morning line) has never done anything wrong in his three lifetime races, finishing either first or second. He has an excellent workout on Feb. 11, the fastest of the day among 47 horses at the distance. Most interestingly, War Story gets a new jockey, Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux, who was born and raised in Louisiana.
From a pace perspective, War Story sports a stalking running style, which means he can sit and wait while others fight for the front. He is continuing to get better and as a newly developing three-year-old on the Kentucky Derby trail, it’s exactly what you want to see.
They’ll be no better homecoming for Desormeaux than winning the 2015 Risen Star Stakes.
$400,000 Risen Star Stakes
Saturday, Race 11, Fair Grounds, Post Time 6:24 p.m. ET
1 1/16 miles, dirt, 3-year-olds
PP
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
1
St. Joe Bay
Florent Geroux
Peter Miller
Altamira Racing Stable and Bernsen, David A.
2
Tiznow R J
Robby Albarado
Steve Asmussen
Mike McCarty
3
Bluff
Kerwin Clark
Larry Jones
Fox Hill Farms
4
J S Bach
Rafael Bejarano
Todd Pletcher
Donald R. Dizney
5
Imperia
Mike Smith
Kiaran McLaughlin
Godolphin Racing
6
War Story
Kent Desormeaux
Tom Amoss
Dunn, Christopher T. and Loooch Racing Stables, Inc.
7
Hero of Humor
Antioco Murgia
Gennadi Dorochenko
Gennadi Dorochenko
8
Keen Ice
James Graham
Dale Romans
Donegal Racing
9
Big Big Easy
Richard Eramia
Steve Asmussen
Dilworth, Scott and Evan
10
International Star
Miguel Mena
Mike Maker
Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.