The trail that leads to the Kentucky Derby wanders through at least a couple of horse towns this weekend, including New Orleans, where they'll run the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes
Saturday at the Fair Grounds.
The field of 14 will go 8.5 furlongs; the winner receives 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, while place, show and fourth will be worth 20, 10 and five points, respectively.
Earlier this week the powers that be at the Fair Grounds posted Vicar's in Trouble, who's already won twice at this course, including a going-away victory in the Grade 3 LaComte Stakes just over a month ago, as the early 5/2 horse racing odds favorite.
Rise Up, who's four-for-six in his young career, is the early second choice at 4/1.
Bond Holder, a Doug O'Neill trainee, was the early third choice at 6/1, but was scratched earlier this week after a rough flight in from California.
Next comes a tier of entrants that could help boost the Risen Star exotic payouts.
Gold Hawk, who took third in the LaComte Stakes; Hoppertunity; who won his last time out, three weeks ago at Santa Anita; and Intense Holiday, who's already run four graded stakes in his career, never finishing worse than fifth, are all lined at 8/1.
And Albano, who won his first two races at the Fair Grounds back in November and December and placed in the LaComte Stakes, is getting 12/1.
Vicar's in Trouble, with Rosie Napravnik riding, will start from the 13 post, while Rise Up, with Gerard Melancon aboard, will go from the two spot.
Elsewhere on the Risen Star Stakes horse racing odds board Son of a Preacher, Quick Indian, Commanding Curve and draw-in Emmett Park are all listed at 20/1; Flat Gone and Interchange are getting 30/1; and Vigorish and Xtra Luck are lined at 50/1.
The next probable step for several horses in this race will be the $1 million Louisiana Derby March 29, which serves as a prep for the 2014 Kentucky Derby.
Last year Ive Struck a Nerve, at 135-to-1 with James Graham up top, rallied to nip Code West at the wire to win the Risen Star Stakes. The $2 exacta paid $2,295, while the trifecta hit for a cool $17,788.
Graham is slated to ride Emmett Park Saturday.
The Risen Star Stakes, race No. 11 on what looks like a great 13-race card Saturday at the Fair Grounds, is expected to go off around 6:25 pm ET.