Determinedly gets another chance to go long in Risen Star

The connections of 3-year-old Determinedly have changed course and now plan to run the colt in the Risen Star Stakes.

Determinedly was a sharp seven-furlong maiden winner in November at Churchill Downs before finishing a soundly beaten third Dec. 26 as the 4-5 favorite in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds, his first try around two turns on dirt. Determinedly led and eked out a first-level allowance win at 1 1/16 miles on dirt Jan. 18 at Fair Grounds, after which trainer Mark Casse said questions regarding Determinedly’s ability over a route of ground had prompted he and owner John Oxley to plan a cut-back in trip. But on Wednesday, Casse said the Risen Star now was the goal.

“There was nothing [shorter] really out there for him right now, so we thought we’d just give him one more try,” said Casse.

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