Meet the Contenders: 2024 Risen Star
Gun Runner holds off Foreveamo (Photo by Fair Grounds)
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Risen Star at Fair Grounds. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Tizzy Indy wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#1 Tizzy Indy *
Pro: Pedigree for distance seemingly the only positive attribute.
Con: No factor in Lecomte (G3) and ex-claimer looks similarly out of place here.
Gun Runner holds off Foreveamo (Photo by Fair Grounds)
#2 Awesome Ruta *
Pro: Latest try was likely a bit on the short side; stakes-placed at two turns.
Con: Looks overmatched from a class perspective.
Honor Marie winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#3 Honor Marie ****
Pro: Impressive win last out in Kentucky Jockey Club (G2); extra distance figures to suit.
Con: Enters off longer layoff than main rivals; might peak later in the spring.
Sierra Leone at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#4 Sierra Leone ****
Pro: Nearly overcame track bias to just miss in strong renewal of the Remsen (G2).
Con: Hung badly after taking a lead late in that Aqueduct feature; can’t do that again.
Moonlight (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#5 Moonlight ***
Pro: Fourth in key edition of Remsen where track profile was working against him.
Con: Cross-entered in an earlier allowance, which would be a more winnable spot.
Real Men Violin breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#6 Real Men Violin ***
Pro: Second best in Kentucky Jockey Club but beat Track Phantom two back.
Con: Has settled for second four times in six starts.
Gun Runner holds off Foreveamo (Photo by Fair Grounds)
#7 Hall of Fame *****
Pro: Exploded to break maiden by more than 10 lengths; exciting prospect.
Con: Lacks the stakes experience the other main contenders have; likely underlay.
Catching Freedom winning the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Photography)
#8 Catching Freedom ****
Pro: Long-time backers should finally get value on this stakes-winning colt.
Con: Faces a far deeper cast in this first stab in graded company.
Cardinale (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Lauren King)
#9 Cardinale **
Pro: Just missed after dueling most of the way in Gulfstream allowance.
Con: Form of last race took a hit when winner trailed in Sam F. Davis (G3).
Resilience (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)
#10 Resilience **
Pro: Dominated maiden foes at Gulfstream, appears to be getting better.
Con: This is a significant step up in class and he loses Lasix.
Track Phantom wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#11 Track Phantom ****
Pro: On a four-race win streak, including the Gun Runner and Lecomte.
Con: Got away with a slow pace last time, stiffer challenge here.
Gun Runner holds off Foreveamo (Photo by Fair Grounds)
#12 Bee Dancer **
Pro: Exceeded expectations winning on debut at 9-1.
Con: Steps ups three furlongs and concedes a lot of experience to others.
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