Cadeyrn, an 11-length maiden winner over the inner track Saturday, will be pointed to the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial over Aqueduct’s main track April 9, trainer Jeremiah Englehart said Monday.
It was a bunched finish at the Risen Star, and if you’re not totally certain who among the top finishers was the best horse in the race, tune in again March 26, when at least the top three home Saturday at Fair Grounds should be back for the $1 million Louisiana Derby.
Gun Runner returned to a fast track and returned to his winning ways by capturing the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, the first race on the road to the Kentucky Derby that offers 85 points overall, and 50 to the winner, making it essentially a “Win and You’re In” race for the Derby.
The outcome of the Risen Star Stakes, and the other main track stakes Saturday at Fair Grounds, was greatly affected by the strong inside bias.
Back on Polytrack at Turfway Park on Saturday night in the $50,000 WEBN Stakes after a couple of rear-half finishes on dirt, Shogood proved best yet again, leading throughout to score a 1 1/2- length victory.
Getting a great trip under Florent Geroux, Gun Runner beat Forevamo and tough-luck Mo Tom to win the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, landing a spot in the Kentucky Derby if he can make it there.
Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky., and Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, N.Y., plan to offer a pick four on April 9 that will link the tracks’ biggest Kentucky Derby prep races.
Siding Spring, who ran fifth in the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest last Monday at Oaklawn Park in his first start since the Breeders’ Cup, will be considered for the Rebel Stakes, said trainer Mark Casse. The Grade 2, $900,000 race will be run March 19.
I wish Airofoce was not the morning-line favorite in Saturday's Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds and offered more value. But I'm guessing there will be enough bettors that question Airoforce that he won't dip below his 5-2 morning line.
I picked Uncle Walter in the Lecomte Stakes, and though he finished third, he showed me enough to give him another chance in Saturday's Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.
