Risen Star (GII)

2025 Risen Star Stakes Overview

The Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds has established itself as a crucial stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering 50-20-10-5 qualifying points. The 2025 edition saw Magnitude score an impressive upset victory at odds of 44-1, defeating Chunk of Gold and Built in the Grade 2, $500,000 event run at 1 1/8 miles.

The race has produced several notable Kentucky Derby contenders over the past decade, with Gun Runner's 2016 victory standing out as particularly significant. The future Horse of the Year used this race as a springboard to Triple Crown success and an illustrious career. Other notable winners include Bravazo, who went on to compete in all three Triple Crown races and place in the Preakness Stakes.

A significant trend shows that horses who perform well in the Risen Star often progress to strong showings in the Louisiana Derby, with several completing the double. The race's timing and distance make it an excellent predictor of success in longer Derby prep races.

For handicappers, the Risen Star has proven particularly formful when evaluating horses with previous Fair Grounds experience. The track's long stretch and demanding surface provide a true test of stamina and class. Winners typically demonstrate both tactical speed and the ability to finish strongly.

The race serves as a key barometer for Kentucky Derby potential, with its winners often showing the stamina and class needed for success in the Triple Crown series.

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Risen Star Stakes Race History

During the 2010s, few Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races produced as many Derby starters as the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds, which cranked out Triple Crown contenders like clockwork throughout the decade.

First run in 1973 as the Louisiana Derby Trial, the early years produced a surprisingly steady trickle of quality winners as Master Derby (1975), Run Dusty Run (1977), and Linkage (1982) all went on to win or place in the spring classics. But it was the equine Risen Star who really put the race on the map, winning in 1988 before going on to claim victories in the Preakness (G1) and Belmont S. (G1).

Shortly afterward the race was renamed in Risen Star’s honor, and its subsequent ascent has been impressive. Assigned Grade 3 status in 2002, the Risen Star seemingly celebrated by producing War Emblem, who parlayed a sixth-place effort at Fair Grounds into a front-running win in the 2002 Kentucky Derby (G1). Champion Lawyer Ron landed the 2006 Risen Star, and Grade 1 winner Pyro secured top honors in 2008.

The Risen Star achieved Grade 2 status in 2010, and a few years later the purse reached $400,000, a twentyfold increase from the $20,000 prize awarded when the equine Risen Star was racing. The quality of competition likewise increased. From 2010 through 2022, the race has attracted Derby winners Country House and Mandaloun, Preakness winners Oxbow and War of Will, Belmont winner Palace Malice, Horse of the Year, Gun Runner, and champion three-year-old Epicenter.

Part of the Risen Star’s success can be attributed to its mid-February date. The race kicks off the Kentucky Derby Championship Series and awards 105 Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis, virtually guaranteeing the winner a spot in the Derby starting gate.

And it’s safe to say the Risen Star is still growing. In 2020, the distance was lengthened to 1 1⁄8 miles, a change so popular the race attracted 23 entries and was run in two divisions.

By J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com