Meet the Contenders: 2025 Risen Star Stakes
East Avenue winning the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
February 12th, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 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.
American Promise is a Justify half-brother to Hoosier Philly (Photo by Coady Media)
#1 American Promise **
Pro: Perhaps bounced a little in Southwest (G3) off a quick maiden score.
Con: Class-wise, might not be quite ready to win a race of this caliber.
Jonathan's Way wins the Iroquois S. at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Jonathan’s Way ****
Pro: Owns some of the best stakes form via runs in Iroquois (G3) and KJC (G2).
Con: Probably gets nine furlongs against these but might wind up liking shorter trips.
TwinSpires
#3 Vassimo ***
Pro: Enters stakes debut undefeated for a barn that has won this three times.
Con: Lack of prior stakes experience is the primary drawback.
East Avenue winning the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 East Avenue *****
Pro: Despite BC Juvenile (G1) flop, was one of last year’s best two-year-olds.
Con: Good start is crucial and still wonder if he’s a need-the-lead type.
Chunk of Fold wins at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 Chunk of Gold **
Pro: Owns a win and a second in two starts, including stakes-placing.
Con: Tested for class and has yet to run over the dirt.
TwinSpires
#6 Seattle Road *
Pro: Closed to within a few lengths in Lecomte after remaining far back.
Con: One of several here that appear a touch too slow on paper.
TwinSpires
#7 Septarian **
Pro: Barn with this last year with Sierra Leone, and this one can improve with blinkers.
Con: Form of Mucho Macho Man S. has not been flattered in the interim.
Giocoso wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Giocoso *
Pro: Barn won this race with 135-1 outsider Ive Struck a Nerve in 2013.
Con: From all indications has a stronger affinity for turf.
Built winning the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges Jr.)
#9 Built ****
Pro: Gun Runner winner just missed in Lecomte despite not handling the surface.
Con: Might not fare as well if not on the lead or very close to it.
Render Judgment wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Kurtis Coady)
#10 Render Judgment **
Pro: Last year’s Derby-winning connections keep faith despite modest finishes last two.
Con: Likely needs lifetime best to beat them all.
TwinSpires
#11 Jolly Samurai *
Pro: Multiple stakes winner was left with too much to do in Lecomte after a troubled start.
Con: Simply hasn’t measured up in two previous Derby prep attempts.
Vamos Carlitos wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#12 Vamos Carlitos *
Pro: Solid second first off the claim facing optional claiming rivals.
Con: Enters with too many class and speed figure concerns.
Magnitude wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#13 Magnitude **
Pro: Might not have handled slop in Lecomte following second in Gun Runner.
Con: Wide draw could hurt his chances of getting his preferred stalking position.
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