Risen Star Top Three Rise, a New No. 1 in the 'Dozen

1. Zandon  

Owner/Trainer: Jeff Drown/Chad Brown

Pedigree: Upstart  —Memories Prevail , by Creative Cause   

Breeder: Brereton Jones (KY)

Though he lost the Feb. 19 Risen Star Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2), he won support in this corner with this third-place finish after a poor start. It was a disastrous beginning for the Remsen Stakes (G2) runner-up, and yet he managed to rally wide to be a third behind Epicenter  and Smile Happy , both of whom enjoyed better trips. Little seems to separate these three talented colts, but this 3-year-old may have the most upside out of what was the strongest prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby to this point in the year.

Watch: Slow Star Compromises Zandon in Risen Star

2. Smile Happy 

Lucky Seven Stable/Kenny McPeek

Runhappy  —Pleasant Smile , by Pleasant Tap 

Moreau Bloodstock International and White Bloodstock (KY)

With jockey Corey Lanerie riding him patiently from seventh to avoid a wide move on the second turn in the Risen Star, this colt found a seam between horses in the stretch and finished well. He outkicked Zandon for the place after the latter had rallied past him in early stretch, though both were only just a little bit ahead of longshot fourth-place finish Pioneer of Medina  at the wire. The 2021 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) victor can build upon his return.

3. Epicenter 

Winchell Thoroughbreds/Steve Asmussen

Not This Time  —Silent Candy , by Candy Ride   

Westwind Farms (KY)

In contrast to the Lecomte Stakes (G3), when he was pushed into fast splits and finished a close second, he faced limited pace pressure in the Risen Star and took advantage in a frontrunning score. Though his lead diminished in the final furlong, from 4 1/2 to 2 3/4 lengths, he was confidently handled by Joel Rosario over the final furlong to defeat Zandon and Smile Happy in their kickoff races of the season.

4. Rattle N Roll  

Lucky Seven Stable/Kenny McPeek

Connect  —Jazz Tune , by Johannesburg  

St. Simon Place (KY)

Pointed toward a March return, last year's runaway Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner recorded his longest breeze this year with a five-furlong move in :59.65 at Gulfstream Park Feb. 19. Slapped on his right shoulder down the lane after drifting out briefly the turn, he pulled well clear of his company, the twice unplaced maiden Make Way . Xbtv.com video shows both horses being noticeably warm in the South Florida weather.

5. White Abarrio  

C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable/Saffie Joseph Jr.

Race Day —Catching Diamonds , by Into Mischief   

Spendthrift Farm (KY)

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. reported last week that this colt exited the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) in good condition while he awaits the April 2 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream. Though he was overlooked a bit at 6-1 odds in the Holy Bull, he won't slip past anyone in the Florida Derby. This colt is 3-for-4 with his only defeat being a third-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club when he shipped for the first time and was surprisingly taken back to draft behind horses.

6. Mo Donegal  

Donegal Racing/Todd Pletcher

Uncle Mo  —Callingmissbrown , by Pulpit  

Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables (KY)

He returned to the work tab this past Saturday with an easy half-mile in :51.13 at Palm Beach Downs. Merely seeing him back in action two weeks after his third in the Holy Bull is a promising sign, irrespective of the slow time. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher figures to get more serious with him as he gears the colt up for his second race of 2021 over a 1 1/8-mile prep that will suit him better than the short-stretch 1 1/16 miles of the Holy Bull. 

7. Classic Causeway  

Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper/Brian Lynch

Giant's Causeway —Private World , by Thunder Gulch  

Kentucky West Racing and Clarke M. Cooper Family Living Trust (KY)

Though he won the Feb. 12 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) with style to begin his 3-year-old year, the race didn't draw the apparent quality of the Risen Star—hence his placement behind the leading half dozen. As a juvenile, he wasn't quite on par with Rattle N Roll and Smile Happy, both of whom beat him in graded stakes, though much can change from ages 2 to 3. Speedy but not speed-crazy, he should consistently enjoy good trips as he continues down the Triple Crown trail.

8. Emmanuel   

WinStar Farm and Siena Farm/Todd Pletcher

More Than Ready  —Hard Cloth , by Hard Spun   

Helen K. Groves Revocable Trust (KY)

A class test awaits in stakes company for his next start, likely in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) March 5 at Gulfstream Park. Pletcher gave him a still five-furlong move in 1:00 1/5 at Palm Meadows this past weekend as he tightens the screws. Perfect in two starts, he won a mile maiden race by 6 3/4 lengths Dec. 11 before stretching out to two turns and whipping outclassed allowance optional claiming company at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 30, with both victories coming in fast time. 

9. Simplification   

Tami Bobo/Antonio Sano

Not This Time—Simply Confection , by Candy Ride 

France Weiner and Irwin Weiner (FL)

His race in the Holy Bull was similar to Zandon's in the Risen Star in that he dug a hole for himself, caught the eye with a threatening second turn rally, and then flattened in the lane. His runner-up finish was a fine effort, though would have liked to have seen him switch leads down the stretch. He was given a cue to switch leads by his rider and did so in a bullet five-furlong solo workout :58.62 at Gulfstream this past Saturday. 

10. In Due Time   

Edge Racing/Kelly Breen

Not This Time—Sweet Sweet Annie , by Curlin   

Gary & Mary West Stables (KY)

Coming off a Feb. 4 allowance optional claimer score at Gulfstream, in which he defeated a couple of highly regarded colts from the Pletcher stable, he looks like a graded stakes horse in the making. That recent victory at a mile, coupled with a route pedigree and a 2-for-3 overall record, suggests he should fare well in future two-turn attempts.

11. Charge It 

Whisper Hill Farm/Todd Pletcher

Tapit  —I'll Take Charge , by Indian Charlie  

Whisper Hill Farm (KY)

Having dusted maidens by 8 1/2 lengths in his second start, running a mile in 1:35.55 with a 103 Equibase Speed Figure, Pletcher has indicated a stakes try on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is under consideration. This colt seems of that quality, possesses speed, talent, and pedigree. Even his second-place finish on debut Jan. 8 was a high-level performance, a neck loss to the now grade 3-placed Volcanic . 

12. Chasing Time  

MyRacehorse/Steve Asmussen

Not This Time—Race Hunter , by Dixie Union  

Tenlane Farm (KY)

Though Bob Baffert-trained Newgrange  is the favorite in Saturday's Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, this colt lands in the 'Dozen and Newgrange does not, owing to Baffert's suspension at Churchill Downs Inc.-owned tracks for medication violations. This colt took a leap forward when stretched out to two turns, whipping first-level allowance optional claiming foes Jan. 14, and plenty of spacing leaves him poised for another peak performance.