One of the best three-year-old prep races so far this year happens on Saturday when top sophomores head to the Fair Grounds racetrack to contest the 2021 Risen Star Stakes. The Risen Star caps a day of awesome graded stakes action at the New Orleans based track. Keep reading for more information on the Risen Star as well as info on the other great stakes races happening on Saturday. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, February 13th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks for February 13th Races
Gulfstream Park
- Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint – 6 furlongs dirt – $100,000
Four horses, Mischievous Alex, Wind of Change, Edgemont Road, and Cajun Brother are listed as probable for thee Gulfstream Park Sprint on Saturday. More horses, no doubt, will throw their hat into the ring. Expect a seriously contested pace for the GP Sprint.
Oaklawn Park
- Grade 3 Razorback – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $600,000
The Grade 3 Razorback should be a heck of a horse race. Brad Cox has entered a couple, Owendale and Wells Bayou. Silver Prospector, Mr. Freeze, Long Range Toddy, and Coastal Defense will all attract wagering dollars. The favorite, though, may be Mystic Guide from the Michael Stidham barn.
Fair Grounds Racetrack
- Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes – 1 1/8 miles turf – $150,000
- Grade 3 Mineshaft Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $200,000
- Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $300,000
- Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $400,000
Eleven horses will enter the starting gate for the Fair Ground Stakes. One of the Brad Cox runners, Set Piece or Factor This, no doubt will go off the chalk. Joe Sharp trained Logical Myth has won its last two. So expect the gelding to also attract money.
The Mineshaft Stakes could end up a match race between Maxfield and Chess Chief. A 2021 Kentucky Derby prospect, Maxfield is undefeated in four races. He could go off odds-on if horseplayers don’t feel Chess Chief can beat him.
Fantastic trainer Tom Amoss will saddle three in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra, Off We Go, Zoom Up, and Littlestitious. All three have a shot. Grade 2 Golden Rod winner Travel Column figures to go off the favorite, though.
In the Risen Star Stakes, everyone will be watching to see if Midnight Bourbon can repeat his Grade 3 Lecomte victory. The two horses that finished behind him, Proxy and Mandaloun are also entered. Top Derby prospect Keepmeinmind hits the Derby Trail for Robertino Diodoro.
Expect the Risen Star Stakes winner to become a top Derby contender. If Midnight Bourbon makes it two in a row, he’ll become the fourth, or even third, choice to win the Run for the Roses.
Have a great week!
