Handicappers Corner: 2020 Risen Star Stakes Div. 2

Starting Anneau in the Risen Star

By: Laurie Ross, ThoroCap

The Risen Star Stakes was divided for the fourth time in the race’s history. Dispersal captured the 1989 second division, the first time the race was split. Dispersal would go on to compete at the highest level, finishing third in the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Sprint the same year, and winning the 1 1/8-mile Woodward Handicap (G1) a year later. 

Four years later, Dry Bean would earn a victory when the Risen Star was split for the second time. He later finished third in that year’s Haskell Invitational (G1). Just two years later, Beavers Nose won the second division. He continued on to compete in listed and restricted stakes over dirt and turf.

Let’s take a look at the field.

The Favorite

This year’s second division of the Risen Star (G2) drew a dozen colts, led by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up, Anneau d’Or. The son of Medaglia d’Oro is a neck and head from being undefeated. He gave Thousand Words all he could handle in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). Blane Wright’s charge has the class and pedigree to handle these easily. The concerning factor, of course, is fitness. Anneau d’Or has logged four brisk stamina works since January. 

Could Upset

Modernist, a son of Uncle Mo, is the only one in the race with a win at the distance. He’s the first foal out of a half-sister to 2004 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Sweet Catomine, and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Distaff heroine Life is Sweet. The Bill Mott trainee is one of six in here who may vie for the lead.

By Goldencents out of an Unbridled’s Song mare, Mailman Money has a solid miler/middle distance pedigree. The Bret Calhoun trainee is undefeated in both starts, and his Brisnet late pace speed figures are high. The only thing against him is post 11, but Gabriel Saez is a hot jock. In the last year, he’s won or placed in 12 of 15 starts.  

Live Longshots

Major Fed looked impressive winning his last start by a comfortable 4 1/4-lengths, despite being wide the entire way. By Ghostzapper out of a Smart Strike mare, Major Fed has the pedigree to run all day.

A very well bred son of Giant’s Causeway, Mr. Big News should love classic distances. Members of his family include Devil’s Bag, Glorious Song, and Singspiel, all champions. The Bret Calhoun trainee needed every inch of the Fair Grounds Stretch to win his maiden at 1 1/6-miles in his last race. He was wide on the far turn and had to alter course a couple of times, but was up to win by a nose.

The one-eyed Finnick the Fierce tries hard, and he’s one of those types whose late rush occasionally wins races, but more often settles for a minor placing.

Maybe Next Time

Liam’s Lucky Charm stretches out for the second time in his career. The runaway winner of the Pasco Stakes. Last year, The Ralph Nick’s trainee was a distant third, beaten ten lengths by Chance It. By Kozan, Liam’s Lucky Charm has a sprinter/miler pedigree and pace-setting/pressing style.

Truculent has Brisnet speed figure improvement in each start. By Raison d'Etat out of a Tiznow mare who descends from the family of Pulpit, Truculent should handle the distance. However, the Jack Sisterson trainee will be jumping to nine furlongs and trying stakes company for his 3-year-old debut. He may want to fight it out on the front end with a couple of others in here.

Fame to Famous has been just so-so over the lawn, so now gets a shot on dirt. His Pioneerof the Nile half-brother was third in two starts on dirt, and their stakes-winning turf miler dam is a half-sister to He’s Had Enough, runner-up in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Fame to Famous had no excuse in the Pulpit Stakes last out. He got a perfect rail trip ride under Luis Saez, yet tired in the stretch as Sam F. Davis hero Sole Valante stormed by.

By miler Liam’s Map out of a multiple stakes-winning sprinter, Lynn’s Map is up against it in the nine-furlong Risen Star. His pace pressing style and post means he’ll likely be wide.

NY Traffic showed huge improvement while winning an optional claimer by 6 3/4-lengths after switching to the barn of 31% trainer Joseph Saffie, Jr. The pretty gray son of Cross Traffic has a miler pedigree and will have to go from the far outside. Note that Saffie, Jr. has won one of nine starts in graded stakes at a route in the last year.

Excession has raced for five months without a break, winning once in seven starts. He lost ground in the LeComte finishing seventh, eight lengths behind Enforcable.  

Selections

Pedigree and whether a contender gained or lost ground in their last start are the best indications of getting nine furlongs. Stating the obvious, Anneau d'Or is the one to beat. I’m not confident that he’ll win a head-to-head battle, but if he outclasses them, he should win the second division of the Risen Star.  Any of the last out maiden winners could jump up and run a huge race.

#8 ANNEAU D'OR (9/5)

#1 MODERNIST (8/1)

#11 MAILMAN MONEY (8/1)

#7 MAJOR FED (10/1)