Risen Star Stakes

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Risen Star Stakes Race Facts

  • Location: Fair Grounds, New Orleans, LA
  • Inaugural Race: 1973
  • Current Distance: 1 1/8th miles
  • Track Type: Left-Handed Dirt
  • Age Qualifications: Three-year-olds
  • Status: Grade 2
  • 2023 Purse: $400,000
  • 2023 Race Date: Saturday, February 18th

2023 Risen Star Stakes Race Results

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
6Angel of EmpireLuis Saez / Brad H. Cox$29.40 / $16.00 / $8.80
7Sun ThunderBrian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. / Kenneth G. McPeek$14.80 / $8.60
10Two Phil'sJareth Loveberry / Larry Rivelli$4.60
8Tapit's ConquestFlorent Geroux / Brad H. Cox
2Single RulerJose Riquelme / J. Keith Desormeaux
5HarlocapJohn R. Velazquez / Steven M. Asmussen
12CrupiJames Graham / Todd A. Pletcher
9Curly JackEdgar Morales / Thomas M. Amoss
13Victory FormationFlavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
3Shaq DieselAdam Beschizza / Renaldo Richards
11Silver HeistCorey J. Lanerie / Steven M. Asmussen
14Private CreedTyler Gaffalione / Steven M. Asmussen
1Quiet as MidnightEmanuel Nieves / Benard Chatters
4DeterminedlyReylu Gutierrez / Mark E. Casse

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1 Exacta (6-7) Paid: $179.20
  • $0.50 Trifecta (6-7-10) Paid: $735.20
  • $0.10 Superfecta (6-7-10-8) Paid: $766.89

Watch the 2023 Risen Star Stakes

2023 Risen Star Stakes Entries

PPML OddsHorse JockeyTrainer
150-1Quiet as MidnightEmanuel NievesBenard Chatters
230-1Single RulerJose RiquelmeJ. Keith Desormeaux
330-1Shaq DieselAdam BeschizzaRenaldo Richards
48-1DeterminedlyReylu GutierrezMark E. Casse
58-1HarlocapJohn R. VelazquezSteven M. Asmussen
68-1Angel of EmpireLuis SaezBrad H. Cox
715-1Sun ThunderBrian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.Kenneth G. McPeek
86-1Tapit’s ConquestFlorent GerouxBrad H. Cox
98-1Curly JackEdgar MoralesThomas M. Amoss
108-1Two Phil’sJareth LoveberryLarry Rivelli
1112-1Silver HeistCorey J. LanerieSteven M. Asmussen
1215-1CrupiJames GrahamTodd A. Pletcher
133-1Victory FormationFlavien PratBrad H. Cox
1412-1Private CreedTyler GaffalioneSteven M. Asmussen

History of the Risen Star Stakes

The Risen Star Stakes is a Grade II event for 3-year-olds run at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. The race is contested annually in February at a distance of 1 1/8 miles. The purse is currently $400,000 and the race is a major prep to the Louisiana Derby (G1), and one of many prep races on the ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby.’ The winner of the Risen Star receives 50 Derby points, and secures a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.

The race was renamed to honor locally-owned Risen Star, a son of Secretariat, who won the race in 1988 and went on to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes and be voted the 1988 Eclipse Award for American Champion Three-Year-Old Male horse. Risen Star finished 3rd in the Kentucky Derby, but is the only Risen Star Stakes winner to win two Triple Crown races.

The race earned its graded stakes status in 2002 and was upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2 in 2010. Epicenter currently holds the speed record at the current length when he turned in a time of 1:49.03 in 2022.

Twelve horses have won both the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby in the same year: Epicenter (2022), Girvin (2017),  Gun Runner (2016), International Star (2015), Friesian Fire (2009), Pyro (2008), Repent (2002), Comic Strip (1998), Line in the Sand (1992), Risen Star (1988), Taylor’s Special (1984) and Master Derby (1975).

The 1977 winner, Run Dusty Run, was also one of the best to race in the event. He went on to finish 2nd in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and was 3rd in the Preakness, each time finishing behind Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. Run Dusty Run had an impressive career filled with near misses that also included runner-up finishes in the Louisiana Derby, Blue Grass Stakes and Travers Stakes.

The record for most wins by a jockey is three, jointly held by Robby Albarado (2003, 2004, 2007), Shane Romero (1988, 1989, 1992) and Florent Geroux (2016, 2020, 2021). The record for most wins by a trainer is three, with 5 owners achieving the feat: D. Wayne Lukas, Neil J. Howard, Todd Pletcher, Steve Asmussen, and Brad H. Cox.

Many notable horses have a Risen Star Stakes victory on their resume. A few of the more noteworthy and recognizable names include Risen Star (1988 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes winner), Lawyer Ron (2007 American Champion Older Male Horse of the Year), Pyro (2008 Louisiana Derby winner), Friesan Fire (2009 Louisiana Derby winner), Mucho Macho Man (2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner), and Girvin (2017 Louisiana Derby winner), War of Will (2019 Preakness Stakes Winner), Mandaloun (2021 Kentucky Derby Winner), and Epicenter (2022 American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse).

Risen Star Race History

YearWinnerJockey / TrainerDistance / Time
2022EpicenterJoel Rosario / Steven M. Asmussen1 1/8 miles / 1:49.03
2021MandalounFlorent Geroux / Brad H. Cox​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.39
2020Mr. MonomoyFlorent Geroux / Brad H. Cox​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:50.43
ModernistJunior Alvarado / William I. Mott​1 1⁄8 miles / 1:51.28
2019War of WillTyler Gaffalione / Mark E. Casse​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.59
2018BravazoMiguel Mena / D. Wayne Lukas​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.95
2017GirvinBrian Hernandez Jr. / Joe Sharp​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.08
2016Gun RunnerFlorent Geroux / Steven M. Asmussen​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.94
2015International StarMiguel Mena / Michael J. Maker​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.82
2014Intense HolidayMike E. Smith / Todd A. Pletcher​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.86
2013Ive Struck a NerveJames Graham / J. Keith Desormeaux​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.52
2012El PadrinoJavier Castellano / Todd A. Pletcher​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.96
2011Mucho Macho ManRajiv Maragh / Katherine Ritvo​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.98
2010Discreetly MineJavier Castellano / Todd A. Pletcher​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.88
2009Friesan FireGabriel Saez / J. Larry Jones​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.11
2008PyroShaun Bridgmohan / Steven M. Asmussen​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.68
2007NotionalRobby Albarado / Doug F. O'Neill​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.18
2006Lawyer RonJohn McKee / Robert E. Holthus​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.13
2005ScipionGary L. Stevens / Patrick L. Biancone​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.54
2004GradepointRobby Albarado / Neil J. Howard​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.36
2003Badge of SilverRobby Albarado / Ronny W. Werner​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.99
2002RepentAnthony J. D'Amico / Kenneth G. McPeek​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.86
2001Dollar BillChris McCarron / Dallas Stewart​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.45
2000Exchange RateCorey Nakatani / D. Wayne Lukas​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.25
1999Ecton ParkShane Sellers / W. Elliott Walden​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.83
1998Comic StripShane Sellers / Neil J. Howard​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.20
1997Open ForumDonna M. Barton / D. Wayne Lukas​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.20
1996Zarb's MagicElvis Joseph Perrodin / W. Bret Thomas​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:42.80
1995KnockadoonWillie Martinez / Anthony L. Reinstedler​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.22
Beavers NoseKenneth Bourque / Eldridge Hebert Jr./ 1:45.44
1994Fly CryRonald D. Ardoin / Thomas M. Amoss​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.02
1993Dixieland HeatRandy Romero / Gerald J. Romero​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.20
Dry BeanAaron Gryder / Thomas K. Bohannan/ 1:43.80
1992Line in the SandShane P. Romero / Neil J. Howard​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.00
1991Big CourageTammy Lee Fox / William I. Fox Sr.​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:46.70
1990Genuine MeaningJohn Hirdes / Ronnie G. Tenhundfeld1 mile & 40 yards / 1:40.80
1989Nooo ProblemaShane P. Romero / Donald R. Winfree1 mile & 40 yards / 1:42.20
DispersalBobby J. Walker Jr. / Bud Delp/ 1:42.80
1988Risen StarShane P. Romero / Louie J. Roussel III1 mile & 40 yards / 1:40.00
1987Authentic HeroLarry Melancon / Donald R. Winfree​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:48.00
1986Dr. Bee JayRicky Frazier / Tommie T. Morgan​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.40
1985MischiefinmindRonald Ardoin / Gerald J. Romero​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.80
1984Taylor's SpecialRandy Romero / William I. Mott​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.00
1983Explosive WagonCharlie Mueller / Gene C. Norman​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:43.80
1982LinkageGreg Smith / Henry S. Clark​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.40
1981Senate ChairmanEarlie Fires / Ronald G. Warren​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.00
1980WithholdingBryan Fann / Ronald G. Warren​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:46.80
1979Incredible EaseJames D. Nichols / Billy S. Borders​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.80
1978BatonnierWayne M. Catalano / Harry E. Trotsek​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.20
1977Run Dusty RunDarrel McHargue / William E. Adams​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.60
1976Go East Young ManEddie Delahoussaye / Dewey P. Smith​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:45.00
1975§ Master DerbyDarrel McHargue / William E. Adams​1 1⁄16 miles / 1:44.40
1974Heavy MayonnaiseCraig Perret / Don Kempfer1 mile & 40 yards / 1:39.80
1973NavajoWeston Soirez / James O. Keefer1 mile & 40 yards / 1:40.00