Takeaways from 2023 Risen Star Stakes

Feb 21, 2023 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

The first of 16 races in the Championship portion of the Road to the
Kentucky Derby series, the $400,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb.
18 awarded points on a 50-20-15-10-5 basis to the top five finishers, and the 1
1/8-mile race served as the penultimate qualifier at the New Orleans track. Point
values will continue to increase for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) on March
25, a major qualifier worth 200 combined points (100-40-30-20-10).

1. Rallying
upset vaults Angel of Empire to fore of Kentucky Derby leaderboard

Angel of Empire
launched a powerful run off the far turn and edged away late to a 13.7-1 upset
win in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, establishing himself as a
serious Kentucky Derby contender with the one-length decision. A
Pennsylvania-bred son of Classic Empire, the Brad Cox-trained colt improved
upon a runner-up effort in his stakes debut, the Jan. 1 Smarty Jones S. at
Oaklawn Park.

Luis Saez picked up the mount on the late runner, and Angel
of Empire jumped to the top of the Kentucky Derby
leaderboard with the 50-point prize in the qualifier, increasing his point
total to 54. The hot early pace benefited late runners, and Angel of Empire
closed from ninth during the opening stages.

He registered a career-best 97 Brisnet Speed rating, tied for the third-best number
from 11 qualifiers in 2023, and Angel of Empire may continue to progress over
the next 10 weeks for a Kentucky Derby-winning trainer.

2. Bona
fide contender in deep Cox barn

Cox continues to flaunt his Kentucky Derby depth, sending
out his fourth different winner of a 2023 qualifier, and Angel of Empire appears
to have plenty going for him.

He now ranks among Cox’s top contenders, along with Lecomte
(G3) winner Instant Coffee and
Withers (G3) victor Hit Show, and Verifying will try to join the “A” list
in the upcoming Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 25.

3. Sun
Thunder improves in second stakes appearance

A convincing maiden winner when trying two turns the second
time out, Sun Thunder followed with
a non-threatening fourth in the Jan. 28 Southwest (G3) over a sloppy Oaklawn
track. He moved forward on a fast oval in the Risen Star, closing boldly from
10th with three-eighths of a mile remaining to strike the front in midstretch.
Sun Thunder was outkicked late, but wound up a clear second for Kenny McPeek.

By Into Mischief, who has sired a pair of Kentucky Derby
winners, Sun Thunder joined the ranks of late-running contenders to consider
with the strong showing.

Two Phil’s made a
good run to challenge for the lead in upper stretch before weakening to third
in the final stages. The juvenile Grade 3 winner has lost ground in deep stretch
of the Lecomte and Risen Star, calling into question his effectiveness for the
1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance. Tapit’s
Conquest, a maiden scorer two starts previously, didn’t make a serious impact
offering a wide rally for fourth, but it was an encouraging effort from the Cox
runner in his stakes debut.