The Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series is set to kickoff Saturday in New Orleans, La., with a competitive field of 10 horses that were entered in the $400,000 Risen Star presented by Lamarque Ford (Grade 2) at Fair Grounds. Horses with promise have emerged each week in point-bearing prep races since this year’s Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve commenced on Sept. 18. The 3-year-old picture should come into a sharper focus over seven of the next eight weekends as the race distances get longer and the point values get larger.
Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2), presented by Lamarque Ford, at the Fair Grounds drew a talent-packed field of 10, which isn’t much of a surprise since it’s the first North American Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race this year.