Risen Star Winner Legit Derby Horse - Super Screener
Super Screener

Risen Star Winner Legit Derby Horse

Photo by Jarrod Monaret/Eclipse Sportswire

G2 Risen Star – 50 KY Derby Points

The G2 Risen Star kicked off the “50 points to the winner” Kentucky Derby preps which means the winners of these types of preps are assured a spot in the Derby gate on the first Saturday in May.  Girvin made the transformation back to dirt with great success.  He could not have gotten a more perfect trip sitting uninterrupted on the rail behind the swift pace and then made a good move down the stretch while having trouble switching leads to get the win on what was a glib track.  Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about this colt:

 

(Girvin) Interesting player here out of the Joe Sharp barn. Ran well on turf last out after the layoff against quality rivals. Screener likes the debut win and the balanced energy distribution profile in that sprint.  Moves up on switch to dirt.”

 

Untrapped may have run the better race having also been on the rail but closer to the swift pace and then when unleashed, kept on coming and closed the gap nearing the wire and finished out well thereafter.  Another solid effort by the Asmussen trainee and he moved forward again in his form cycle.  Deserves another shot in his next start which is likely to be the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.

 

The Super Screener’s top value play did not disappoint at odds of 8-1…

 

“The Super Screener top win pick and top value play, #2 Untrapped, will secure an ideal position along the rail pressing the pace leaders.  This Asmussen-trained colt will move significantly forward second off the layoff and with the switch back to a fast track.  He is begging for more distance so plenty of stamina will be reserved for the stretch run despite sitting close to the leaders.  If Morning Line odds of 10-1 are anything close to what you can actually secure, take it as that is just filled with value.”

 

The Super Screener faded the odds-on favorite Mo Town who finished 5th right where he was ranked.  He needed the race and once again, despite the big number from the Remsen, here was another horse coming out of the race that disappointed at low odds.

 

Shareholder Value, a deep-closing Super Screener long shot bomber pick at odds of 26-1 failed to hit the Superfecta but did finish best of the bombs.  

 

KY Derby Prognosis:

The top four finishers of this race earned the right to stay on the Kentucky Derby trail, while connections of the rest need to consider their next moves.

 

Other weekend results:

G3 Fair Grounds Handicap

Trainer Michael Maker was loaded in this field having 3 of the 7 starters and in the end, his charges accounted for the Exacta.  Enterprising surprised some here taking the race from a gutsy Oscar Nominated who did all the work up front.  Maker’s other charge and what he claimed was the best horse of the bunch, Granny’s Kitten didn’t show up at all.  The Super Screener top long shot pick #1 Bullard’s Alley did get up to hit the bottom of the Superfecta at 16-1 in the scratch-shortened field.

Daisy Devine

Well this race got decimated by the three scratches and with the other speed out of the race, this became Believe in Bertie’s race to lose.  She got the clear, easy lead throughout and then dug in tenaciously to hold off a determined Kitten’s Roar.  Prado’s Sweet Ride did not fire and was beaten soundly at 10-1.  Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about Believe in Bertie:

 

“(Believe in Bertie) Just crushed a field of 11other rivals opening and maintaining a 7 length lead right through the finish line for a a perfect 2 for 2 win record on the FG turf.  Steps up here but will be dangerous alone on the lead.”

 

With the field being reduced to 5 horses this became a less desirable race from a wagering perspective.  Believe in Bertie paid $3.20 win so the suggested Exacta wagers that hit and paid $120 don’t look as bad in comparison.

The Derby prep action is really heating up now as the G2 Fountain of Youth and G3 Gotham are on deck for this Saturday along with a bunch of other good looking stakes races.

 

Until next weekend…Go fast and win!

 

Mike

Get Fountain of Youth & Gotham Stakes Picks & More