Tipsheet: 2026 Risen Star Stakes

A strong field of eight sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles over the Fair Grounds main oval in Saturday’s $500,000 Risen Star (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis. 

Risen Star Stakes Picks

• #4 Paladin
• #2 Golden Tempo
• #7 Courting

Risen Star Stakes Wagers

• $30 win #4 Paladin
• $1 superfecta 4 with 2,7 with 2,7 with all

Risen Star Stakes Contenders

#1 UNIVERSE: Three-time graded stakes-placed son of Global Campaign will make his local debut and break from the rail for Kenny McPeek. The bay fired a blank in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park last time, but he gets blinkers back on and shows two good morning works in preparation for the tilt. Exotics contender will have Christopher Elliot in the irons. 

#2 GOLDEN TEMPO: Cherie DeVaux pupil is unblemished from a pair of lifetime runs to date, led by a tally in the local Lecomte (G3) most recently. The well-bred son of Curlin has gone last-to-first in both of his lifetime tries to date and will appreciate getting more ground with which to work with on Saturday. The deep closer retains the services of Jose Ortiz. 

#3 CARSON STREET: Lecomte third and has never run a bad one in his career. The sophomore colt has good early foot in a field without a slew of pace in it. The Brendan Walsh trainee has the right running style and pedigree to endure nine furlongs, and he could be dangerous late at a price if he takes a step forward against this group. Ben Curtis will take the reins. 

#4 PALADIN: Horse to beat and top choice drove home a nice winner of the Remsen (G2) in his second lifetime appearance and was flattered when the horse he beat came back to romp in the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs next time out. The $1.9 million son of Gun Runner has combined tactical speed and a fine closing kick, and he will be tough to upend on Saturday with even slight improvement in his sophomore bow. Tyler Gaffalione inherits the ride. 

#5 CHIP HONCHO: Gun Runner S. victor was a commendable fourth in the Lecomte in his latest venture and fits well in this offering. Consistent son of Connect will have the blinkers off on Saturday, and if the equipment change aids him, then the colt will be in the mix for a piece late beneath Luis Saez. 

#6 COLT FORTY SEVEN: Bolt d’Oro colt was second in a local allowance run on the grounds most recently and will need a big leap forward to threaten this cast late for Keith Desormeaux. The $47,000 yearling purchase would be a surprise at a big number under the guidance of James Graham. 

#7 COURTING: Especially well-bred son of Curlin was fourth in the Remsen in his juvenile finale and will race with blinkers on for the initial time. The win candidate, who was a whopping $5 million yearling purchase, gives me the impression of a colt who will thrive as the distances increase going forward. John Velazquez will be in the silks and could have the prospect closer to the pace in this endeavor.  

#8 QUALITY MISCHIEF: Brad Cox charge gets the outside draw in this group and will aim to improve on his fifth in the Lecomte. The Into Mischief colt has shown improvement as he has progressed, and another move in the right direction will see him challenging for a top-three result late with Florent Geroux picking up the mount.