Its All Relevant readies for Risen Star stakes bow; Tom’s Ready tops busy worktab

Edited Press Release

While trainer Dominick Schettino already has a major Triple Crown trail contender in last-out Holy Bull (G2) runner-up Greenpointcrusader, he will look to add another when he runs Its All Relevant in the 43rd running of the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds on February 20.

The chestnut son of Hard Spun finished his preparation for that 1 1/16-mile contest with a five-furlong move in 1:01.95 on Saturday morning at Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida.

“He ran a big number (95 BRIS Speed rating) when he broke his maiden last time and we want to see what he has,” Schettino said. “We’d like to see if he’s good enough to be on the Derby Trail or not.

“There was the Sam Davis (G3) at Tampa (on Saturday), but the points at the Risen Star made the difference. It’s a big step, but he has ability.  I’d like for him to run a good 1-2-3.

“He’ll sit off the pace if he has to,” Schettino continued. “He wants to be close, but he doesn’t have to be on the lead. He always breaks good and lays close. That’s his running style.”

Last out, Its All Relevant broke his maiden going a mile in a sloppy off-the-turf affair by 8 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream Park. One race prior, he was second to well-regarded Chad Brown trainee Shagaf in a November 22 maiden at the same distance at Aqueduct.

Schettino also reported that Greenpointcrusader may make an appearance at Fair Grounds before its season is up.

“He came out of the Holy Bull in good shape,” Schettino said. “I have the Louisiana Derby (G2) or the Wood Memorial (G1) in mind for him, but I’ll also nominate to the Arkansas (Derby [G1]).”

Also working for the Risen Star on Saturday at Fair Grounds was Lecomte (G3) runner-up Tom’s Ready, who is expected to be one of the favorites in the race. The Dallas Stewart trainee clocked five furlongs in 1:00.40.

Jerome (G3) third-placer In Equality had his first work over the Fair Grounds surface on Saturday, working five furlongs in 1:01.20 in advance of the Risen Star Stakes for trainer Leah Gyarmati.

Zapperini, an impressive winner of a mile and 70-yard maiden special weight event on January 21 at the New Orleans oval, worked a half-mile in :49 in advance of his considerable step up in class in the Risen Star for trainer Greg Foley.

Also on Louisiana Derby Preview Day will be the $200,000 Rachel Alexandra (G3) sending sophomore fillies 1 1/16 miles, and two such misses took to the Fair Grounds track Saturday.

Shaken, a smart winner at first asking for trainer Mike Stidham on January 30, worked toward just her second start and stakes bow in the Rachel Alexandra with a five-furlong move in 1:01.

Lemon Drop Belle, second last out in a photo-finish with undefeated Royal Obsession, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 for trainer Dallas Stewart and owner-breeder Charles Fipke. The daughter of Lemon Drop Kid will run next in the Rachel Alexandra, where she will get a rematch with her aforementioned foe.

Screenshot of Tom’s Ready running second to Mo Tom in Lecomte (G3)