A New Star Risen in the Louisiana Sky
Race ID:3861.0515
Grade III Risen Star Stakes
$125,000, 3 years Only
One Mile and One Sixteenth (8.5 F)
Track: Dirt
Local racegoers were provided with another electrifying performance in the 10th annual edition of the Grade III Risen Star Stakes. SEATTLE EXPLOIT(KOR) trained by radioguy may have just punched his ticket to Kentucky in search of bluegrass glory. Patiently ridden by jockey D. Hogin, he sat chilly in mid-pack as FLY HIGH SKY(KY) lsumark jumped out to an uncontested lead in an attempt to wire this group. The field began to converge on the leader at the top of the stretch as STEVIE RAY(KY) gradetwo, SKUNKHILL AFFAIR(FL) skunkbred and SEATTLE EXPLOIT(KOR) took dead aim. It appeared that STEVIE RAY(KY) had the field measured but the eventual winner was relentless in his pursuit and with a sense of urgency was moving fastest of all at the end. STEVIE RAY(KY) stayed for second with SKUNKHILL AFFAIR(FL) finished a solid third. Full measure for the victory, SEATTLE EXPLOIT(KOR) tied the Stakes record of 1:42:0 (104) set in 2007 by AWESOME FORCE(KY).
GRADED HANDICAPS: Hladun said …
PP 2: 158645 SEATTLE EXPLOIT(KOR) radioguy D. Hogin (6/1) RANK: 63
“With five victories to his credit in ten career starts, this son of Exploit looks to do just that in this event. He comes into this race off a winning effort at Idaho where he took the Carolina Niner Stakes with relative ease covering the eight and a half furlongs in 1:43:1 (96). With two graded races worth of experience at today’s distance under his belt, a repeat of his latest makes him a force to be reckoned with in this spot. Dangerous!”
PP 8: 103072 STEVIE RAY(KY) gradetwo T. Campy (8/1) RANK: 64
“This son of Seeking the Gold may only have one win on his record but he has been racing tough along the way and may be better for it in the longrun as his last two were in graded company. In the Grade III Silver Fence Derby he finished a solid third (97) at today’s distance beaten less than three lengths. Earlier in his two year old campaign he finished third in the Grade III Little Tree Stakes. Will need to build off of his last to take this group. A contender.”
PP 1: 155605 SKUNKHILL AFFAIR(FL) skunkbred U. Cunningham (12/1) RANK: 177
“This son of Congrats has finished on the board in seven of eight career starts. Light on Graded Stakes experience, he comes into the Risen Star off of an allowance victory here at Louisiana covering seven furlongs in a brisk 1:23:1 (92) while drawing off in the stretch. He looks to build on his last effort and take the next step. Jockey F. Oxon has opted for another in here.”
Fearless predictions … a review
HLADUN TRACKMAN APPAS TAPPAS
1. AFRIKA KORPS SEATTLE EXPLOIT SANSKRIT
2. SEATTLE EXPLOIT SANSKRIT RUBAN BLADES
3. RUBAN BLADES FLY SKY HIGH AFRIKA KORPS
MEDIA QUOTES:
“I never thought I’d ever have a horse with this kind of potential in my life. What makes it all the more special is that he’s a homebred. We’ll see how he comes out of the race and make our decision later this week about his future.” … radioguy (in the winner’s circle)
“I’m out of my mind right now. Did you just see that … wait, don’t pinch me. I don’t want to wake up from this glorious dream. It feels like we won the damn thing. We just missed and he’ll get better. He was a monster in the morning all week and ate his feed up real good.” … gradetwo
“We knew our best chance was to go to the lead but I was surprised that he took it so easily. I knew he was fit enough but this is a tough group and that winner is one nice horse.” … lsumark
“I knew he was going to run big today. All week he’s been sharp in the morning. He’s an honest sort and brings it every time. I had lot’s of horse going down the backstretch and just waited until he told me he was ready to go and then hit the switch.” … D. Hogin (winning jockey)
“I think we just witnessed a coming out party of sorts for a derby bound hawse” … Trackman