International Star surges up rail to win Risen Star, guarantees Kentucky Derby berth

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s International Star stamped his ticket for the Kentucky Derby in Saturday’s Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, parlaying a rail-skimming trip into his second consecutive stakes victory at Fair Grounds.

After rallying to the lead in upper stretch, International Star withstood a game challenge from War Story to prove best by about a length. Keen Ice finished third and pacesetter St. Joe Bay held fourth.

A New York-bred son of Fusaichi Pegasus, International Star received 50 points for winning the Road to the Kentucky Derby series race and moved to first on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with a total of 71.

The bay colt earned 10 points for winning the January 17 Lecomte at Fair Grounds in his previous start; 10 for winning the Grey Stakes at Woodbine last October; and one for a fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs in late November.

Trained by Mike Maker, International Star completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.82 with jockey Miguel Mena.