Golden Tempo (Curlin), third in the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. Feb. 14, will race with first-time blinkers in Saturday's GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.
The Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable homebred and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was an eye-catching, come-from-behind winner of his first two career starts, including the GIII Lecomte S. Jan. 17. He rallied from seventh to complete the trifecta in the Risen Star, finishing six lengths behind Paladin (Gun Runner).
“He made a really nice run in the Risen Star and just gave himself a lot to do,” trainer Cherie DeVaux said. “We're putting blinkers on him not to change his running style, but hopefully to get him in a better position so he doesn't have to make up so much ground. He's got a really nice turn of foot, but I really just want to get him focused.”
Chip Honcho (Connect), winner of the local Gun Runner S. Dec. 20, was a fantastic second, beaten just a half-length, after setting a strong pace in the Risen Star. The 3-1 morning-line favorite figures to be on the engine once again beneath Luis Saez. Steve Asmussen has won the Louisiana Derby five times, including last year with longshot Tiztastic.
“He went fast to get to the front, but I had him on the lead where I wanted,” Saez said following the Risen Star. “He just got a little tired late. I feel like he's going to be a really nice horse.”
'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}), a smart debut winner for Chad Brown with a field-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure going two turns at Tampa Feb. 7, is drawn widest of all in post nine. Runner-up that day Powershift (Constitution) returned with a disappointing sixth-place finish in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby.
The 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby serves as a Championship Series event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, awarding 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points to the top five finishers.
The stacked 14-race program on Louisiana Derby Day also includes: a highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' and GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra S. winner Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) and Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution) in the GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks, good for 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks; the GII New Orleans Classic S., headed by Louisiana-bred sensation Touchuponastar (Star Guitar); and the GII Muniz Memorial Classic S.
Stark Contrast Headlines Deep Field of 12 Set for Jeff Ruby Steaks
Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Stark Contrast (Caravaggio) will make his synthetic debut in Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park, good for 100-50-25-15-10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The Michael McCarthy-trained Amerman homebred–the same connections behind 2024 Jeff Ruby winner Endlessly–kicked off his sophomore campaign with a win in the Eddie Logan S. going a mile over the Santa Anita lawn Jan. 8.
“He's a good work horse and trains with a lot of energy,” McCarthy said. “He seems to be going the right way. It's a good time to take a swing at a big pot.”
Stark Contrast figures to vie for favoritism with the stretch-running Fulleffort (Liam's Map), who finished a rallying second in both the Leonatus S. Jan. 17 and John Battaglia Memorial S. Feb. 21.
Turfway's 13-race card also features: the Kentucky Oaks qualifier Bourbonette Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) and the GIII TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic.
Saturday's graded stakes action also includes the GIII Essex H. at Oaklawn, led by GI Pegasus World Cup upsetter Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator); and the GIII San Luis Rey S. at Santa Anita.
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