03/01/2013 3:23PM

Fair Grounds: Graham sees Ive Struck a Nerve improving

By Bob Fortus
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Jamie Hernandez/Hodges Photography
Ive Struck a Nerve won the Risen Star at 135-1.

Jockey James Graham said he liked what he saw from Ive Struck a Nerve in the Risen Star last weekend and is looking for him to improve even more.

At 135-1 odds, Ive Struck a Nerve rallied from last to first to win the Risen Star, the final prep for the Louisiana Derby.

“He ran a good race,” Graham said. “He really did. And I think there’s more improvement if he settles more. He doesn’t have to be as far back. Maybe he can keep stepping forward. I think if he settles the way he did . . . you can do anything with him.

“Quality-wise, I thought it was a decent race, a really good race. For him, he has to improve, and hopefully he does. But the one thing he has going for him, he does have 51 points. He’s [got] more than everyone else on the Derby list.”

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]