Dollar Bill starts to draw away from the field to win the Risen Star Stakes

Dateline: 02/18/01

Dollar Bill proved he was a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender today by winning the 26th running of the $125,000 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds in his first start since November 25th last year. Trainer Dallas Stewart did a wonderful job getting him ready off a series of works that included two 6 furlong breezes in 1:14 flat. Dollar Bill looked like the class of the field on paper with a Grade 2 win at Churchill Downs in his last start. He was very much on his toes in the paddock and post parade which gave a good indication of the performance he was about to give.

18.40-1 longshot Gracie's Dancer went right to the front and almost pulled off the big upset. Dollar Bill tracked the speed on the rail in 3rd or 4th position until the final turn when he angled to the outside to make his run. He caught up to Gracie's Dancer and seemed to hang for a minute in mid-stretch but jockey Chris McCarron went to work and he found a new gear, pulling away to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Rahy's Secret rallied from last to pick up the show spot 2 1/2 lengths behind Gracie's Dancer. If all goes well, Dollar Bill's next start should be the Louisiana Derby in March.

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
 4   Dollar Bill        McCarron         3.80    3.20  2.60
 2   Gracie's Dancer    Jimenez                 14.80  8.00
 9   Rahy's Secret      Bourque                        4.40

Winning Time:  1.43.45

$2 Exacta 4-2                60.80
$2 Quinella 4-2              50.00
$2 Trifecta 4-2-9           543.40

The start of the Risen Star Stakes.

The field goes by the first time with Gracie's Dancer out front and eventual winner Dollar Bill in third.

Dollar Bill all alone at the finish drawing off by 2 1/2 lengths.

Dollar Bill and Chris McCarron return after the win.

The trophy presentation which included Louis Roussell, the trainer and part owner of Risen Star (to the right of Chris McCarron).

Dollar Bill in the paddock. He was quite bouncy and looked ready to eat the others alive.

Second place finisher Gracie's Dancer in the post parade.

Third place finisher Rahy's Secret in the paddock.

Mardi Gras season was in full swing in New Orleans and even the outrider horses got in the spirit!.

Although he didn't run well, finishing next to last, Mr. Sulu certainly made the biggest fashion statement with his bad boy black leather blinkers with studs around the eyes and ear covers.

All photos by Cindy Pierson and Terence Dulay.

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