GII Risen Star Stakes

We don't often see 43-1 shots winning graded stakes by 9 3/4 lengths, and when we do, those victories are often subsequently proven to be flukes. If you go by the numbers, an off-the-charts, outlier effort like the one orchestrated by Magnitude (Not This Time) in Saturday's GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds--in which his 108 Beyer Speed Figure equated to a walloping 34-point improvement off his last race--is more likely to be met with pari-mutuel skepticism than enthusiasm when this colt races next, most likely in the GII...

Preparing to make their sophomore debut in the GII Risen Star Stakes on Louisiana Derby Preview Day, both Jonathan's Way (Vekoma) and East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) breezed at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Saturday. The nine-furlong Kentucky Derby prep will award 50-25-15-10-5 Derby points to the top five finishers. Firing the bullet for his trainer Phil Bauer, Rigney Racing's Jonathan's Way breezed 5/8ths in 1:00.20 on Saturday, going in company with stablemate Kalahari Dreams. "[Jonathan's Way] sat right off of him going away from the pole," Bauer said of...

Grade I winner 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) returned to the worktab Jan. 3 in his first published move since finishing ninth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile last November. The well-beaten favorite in the championship race, the son of Medaglia d'Oro went onto the track shortly after a renovation break for a half-mile breeze in :49.20 with Declan Cannon in the irons. The sectionals were reported as :12 2/5, :24 4/5, and :37 2/5 and he galloped out five furlongs in 1:02 1/5, according to clocker Billy...