Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds Should Be A Valentine’s Sweetheart

Chip Honcho got up at the wire in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds and is one of the prime contenders in the Risen Star Stakes

Lou Hodges

The grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans on February 14 promises to be a real sweetheart. Having been a major stepping stone to the Louisiana Derby since first being run in 1973 as the Louisiana Derby Trial, this mile and an eighth roll over the Bayou dirt is also a points qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby. This event was renamed in 1989 after Risen Star, who won this race and then the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1988. Currently, the winner of this contest has not gone on to win the world’s most famous race, but as we know, trends are made to be broken. Let’s take a look at the entrants who will be competing for their share of $500,000. The runners will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line.

1 Universe (Ken McPeek, Christopher Elliot 8-1) Son of Global Campaign broke his maiden at first asking but has not won in four starts since. Granted he has been in Stakes action in last four starts and his versatile running style could make him dangerous here. A dull seventh in his last start in the Smarty Jones on January 3 is excused as his only finish off the board.

2 Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz 3-1) Unbeaten in two career starts, this son of Curlin came from last at the ¾ mile mark to win the Lecomte Stakes over this dirt on January 17. Rider has been very good of late at Fair Grounds and this water is a little deeper for a lightly raced colt. We will see what he is made of.

3 Carson Street (Brendan Walsh, Ben Curtis 8-1) Five career starts has seen this son of Street Sense in the money all five times. Has only one win, but it was by 11 ½ lengths on this Louisiana Dirt. Was third in Lecomte Stakes last out and should be in your superfecta here.

4 Paladin (Chad Brown, Tyler Gafflione 8-5) Currently viewed as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby by some, this son of Gun Runner is unbeaten, but has only started twice. A pace stalking win over a larger and talented field in the Remsen Stakes at this distance in his final start of 2025 opened a few eyes. Can he carry that into his three-year-old campaign? He is a deserving favorite and the likely winner.

5 Chip Honcho (Steve Asmussen, Luis Saez 6-1) Gun Runner Stakes winner two starts back was seriously challenging in the Lecomte Stakes last out before fading to fourth. This son of Connect is a player here with the jock to get it done.

6 Colt Forty Seven (Keith Desormeaux, James Graham 20-1) A Keith Desormeaux special, this $47,000 purchase as a yearling is our longshot play in this race. Has started eight times and has the closing style to make something happen here at a price.

7 Courting (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez 6-1) This son of Curlin will be making his three-year-old debut after finishing fourth in the Remsen Stakes. Has one win in three starts as a two-year-old. Could be part of the early pace as recent works have been lively and the break may be the key for him.

8 Quality Mischief (Brad Cox, Florent Geroux 10-1) A Brad Cox trainee at double digit odds in a race at Fair Grounds?…This son of Into Mischief has some things to prove after finishing fourth in the Gun Runner Stakes and fifth in the Lecomte Stakes. If you can get those odds on him is he worth a play? Well, he is trained by Brad Cox…