The $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (G3) is the first major Triple Crown prep race in Louisiana, and is the highlight of Louisiana Derby Preview Day at the Fair Grounds on Saturday, February 9. A field of eleven 3-year-olds went to the gate in this 1 1/16 mile main track feature. Pyro, who finished second to champion juvenile War Pass in both the Champagne and the Breeders' Cup, was the 9-10 favorite over stablemate and Lecomte winner Z Fortune at 3-1. 5-1 third choice Visionaire was making his first stakes appearance.
Longshot Rich Young Ruler went to the front early and set a pace of 24.52, 49.50, and 1:14.62 while being stalked by Signature Move and Visionaire. Shaun Bridgmohan aboard Pyro kept the favorite relaxed at the back of the field down the backstretch. Turning for home, Z Fortune, who had raced in fourth early, passed the tiring pacesetters and looked homefree in midstretch, opening up about a 2 length lead. However, Pyro, who was stuck down on the rail at the 1/4 pole, had to come out wide and charged down the center of the track, passing the whole field late to win going away by 2 lengths in a time of 1:44.68 over the fast track. It was just 3/4 length back from Z Fortune to Visionaire in third.
