Fair Grounds Foursome: Risen Star Stakes, Rachel Alexandra, et al

The New Orleans Fair Grounds celebrates the end of Mardi Gras with four graded stakes races to reinvigorate the “Big Easy’s” party atmosphere to a festival level. The feature GII Risen Star Stakes for three-year old males is the forerunner to the Louisiana Derby and official prep for the Kentucky Derby. Racing Mogul visited a fortune teller in the French Quarter last night and was cautioned that morning-line favorite El Padrino can not Afford to ignore Tizanexpense, and that a Hero of Order may be summonsed to corral the enigmatic field of youngsters. With such sage advice, I stumbled home and scratched out the following selections:

Race 11
Risen Star Stakes (Post Time: 4:55) Surface: Dirt
1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | G2 STAKES | Purse: $300,000
Exacta / Trifecta / $0.10 Superfecta Daily Double


Breaking from the far outside, Tizanexpense (10-1), the son of Tiznow ridden by jockey Miguel Mena, may need to conjure up some voodoo magic to find the trip necessary to take this field at the wire. After starting his career losing ground on synthetics and the lawn, the brown colt took to the dirt in his last two starts by default and took a liking to the sandy surface with two victories. Racing three wide through the first turn in his last race, the Michael Maker trained horse rallied down the stretch to win an optional claimer on today’s course. He has shown versatility in his young career, winning from the lead and off the pace, a talent which should help overcome the poor starting position. The blossoming "M&M" connection between Maker and Mena are a perfect five for five in the money in the last 90 days at the historic New Orleans track, with two wins. Will be a player in today’s race.

Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan gets his second start aboard the son of Street Sense, Afford (8-1), breaking from the always desirable one hole, which is winning at a 17% clip this meet at route distances on the dirt. Like Tizanexpense, the dark brown colt is facing much tougher today but displays many signs suggesting he is ready to rise to the occasion. Won last time out in his first route race following a nearly two-month layoff while going five wide through the first turn. No surprise trainer Greg Geier enters this horse two weeks off his last start; he’s rearing to go and may show a lot more effort two off a long layoff with a better trip.

Hero of Order (30-1) enters this race after a whopping 11 previous starts, of which he has only broken his maiden. He should be the rabbit in a field that otherwise has little front-end speed. He’s had difficulty maintaining his stamina, but has shown a new maturity in his past few starts and has several excuses. Ran a game fifth in the GIII LeComte Stakes after being hung three wide in the first turn and is coming off a third-place finish in an optional claimer where he posted a career high Beyer of 80 after his mount lost the whip. Track maintenance more than likely packed the dirt course fairly tight last night for the eye-catching card, and we expect the course to favor speed today. Wouldn’t surprise if Hero of Order could hold on for a shock upset.

1. Tizanexpense
2. Afford
3. Hero of Order

Wager: We think any of these three can steal a victory from the favorite. Win bets for each in a graduated system using three units. If wet, small on Hero of Order across the board.

Race 6
Fair Grounds Handicap (Post Time: 2:28) Surface: Turf

1. Mr. Vegas
2. Dubious Miss
3. Smart Bid


Race 7
Rachel Alexandra Stakes (Post Time: 2:58) Surface: Dirt


1. Inny Minnie
2. Annaclone
3. Summer Applause


Race 9
Mineshaft Handicap (Post Time: 3:55) Surface: Dirt


1. Tres Borrachos
2. Thiskyhasnolimit
3. Fast Alex


Wager: Exacta Box 3,6,8 with 3,5,6,8