Takeaways from 2024 Risen Star

Feb 20, 2024 James Scully

Sierra Leone in the Risen Star winner's circle (From photo by Hodges Photography)

The $400,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds marked the start of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, which features 16 qualifiers for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4, and point values increased to 50-25-15-10-5 for the 1 1/8-mile race. The Kentucky Derby trail will return to the New Orleans track for the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at 1 3/16 miles on March 23, a major qualifier offering points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale.

Here are three takeaways from the Risen Star.

Sierra Leone rallies dramatically to assume role of Kentucky Derby favorite

Sierra Leone came flying through the stretch to catch Track Phantom late in the Risen Star, surging to a half-length decision in his third career start. The Chad Brown-trained son of Gun Runner overcame a slow pace and ridiculously wide trip on the sloppy track, and Sierra Leone was bet down to 6-1 favoritism among individual entrants in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager last weekend.

His Pool 4 odds were significantly lower than the second individual choice, Dornoch (9-1), who edged Sierra Leone by a nose in the Remsen (G2) last December and is slated to make his 2024 return in the March 2 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Sierra Leone figures to be a prohibitive favorite in his final Kentucky Derby prep race, the $1 million Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on April 6.

Blinkers kept him focused; questions to answer in final prep

After less-than-favorable trips last year, Sierra Leone added blinkers for the Risen Star, and new jockey Tyler Gaffalione credited the headgear for keeping the long-striding dark bay more focused in the Risen Star. The big, strapping colt was purchased for $2.3 million as a yearling and after a promising juvenile season, Sierra Leone has progressed at age three.

Longer distances appear to be no issue, and Sierra Leone looks poised to keep moving forward this spring.

Track conditions and Speed ratings will be two things to watch for in the Blue Grass.

Sierra Leone has caught wet tracks in his last two starts and let’s hope he gets the opportunity to showcase his skills over a fast track in the Blue Grass. The Risen Star performance was difficult to gauge from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective, given the glacial early fractions and extreme ground loss, and I want to see a triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating next time.

Risen Star depth

The last five runnings of the Risen Star have produced a top three finisher in the Kentucky Derby, including the runner-up and third-place finisher the last two years, and the 2024 edition featured a deep field of 11. I’ll mention the four runners who picked up points behind Sierra Leone.

Track Phantom, the 3-1 second choice following wins in the Lecomte (G3) and Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds, showed speed from the gate to control the pace and while he couldn’t withstand the winner, the Steve Asmussen-trained colt held well to be a clear second. Given how he had everything his own way on a slow pace, his runner-up finish won’t inspire confidence for longer distances, but Track Phantom remains a classy type who shouldn’t be quickly dismissed. His speed is an asset, and we’ll see if the narrow loss toughens up Track Phantom for the Louisiana Derby.

Catching Freedom edged closer from midpack on the far turn and after being forced wide into the stretch, the Constitution colt offered a nice run to be a clear third despite failing to change leads. He backed up his win in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park on New Year’s Day, and Catching Freedom may continue to show more for Brad Cox following the encouraging performance.

Resilience, who was exiting a Gulfstream maiden win for Bill Mott, tracked the pace in second until weakening to fourth in deep stretch. Off at 16-1, the son of Into Mischief gave a fine account of himself in the first start versus winners and Resilience will receive more pari-mutuel support for his second stakes attempt.

Honor Marie made his first appearance since capturing the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) last November and the late runner appeared hopelessly beaten turning for home after trailing from the break. But the lightbulb suddenly came on after straightening for home and the confirmed closer finished fast for fifth, completing his finial eighth of a mile in approximately :12.25 seconds, second-fastest to Sierra Leone. Honor Marie will be a candidate to show more next time off the sneaky effort.

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