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Notional takes eventful Risen Star

Notional avoided trouble in the Risen Star to earn his second straight stakes (Lou Hodges Jr.) J. Paul Reddam's NOTIONAL (In Excess [Ire]) raced to the outside of Slew's Tizzy (Tiznow) when that one clipped heels with Makeithapencaptain (Aptitude) and threw his rider, James Graham, to the track. Notional, however, never faltered en route to a 2 1/4-length win in the $300,000 Risen Star S. (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday, the centerpiece of a five-stakes program dubbed Louisiana Derby Preview Day. Ridden by Robby Albarado, Notional raced wide in midpack as Makeithapencaptain moved up from the start to set the pace through splits of :23 and :46 4/5. Coming around the final turn, the rest of the field began to catch up with the 51-1 pacesetter, who was engulfed and gave up the lead to Zanjero (Cherokee Run). Makeithapencaptain began to drop back, and that was when the chasing Slew's Tizzy clipped heels, tossing Graham through the air and to the track. Keeping pace with Slew's Tizzy on the outside was Notional, who swung farther toward the center of the track as those behind him attempted to miss Graham. Weaving his way around the horses running in front of him, the Doug O'Neill charge was soon clear and pulled away to finish 1 1/16 miles on the fast dirt in 1:44.

Sent off the near 3-1 second choice, Notional paid $7.80, $4.80 and $4 while keying the $80.60 exacta, $307.20 trifecta and $2,214.40 superfecta (12-8-10-4). Imawildandcrazyguy (Wild Event) also came wide in the stretch to take second, just nipping Zanjero by a head at the wire to return $8.60 and $6 at 10-1. Zanjero was four lengths in front of Izzie's Halo (Halo's Image) to give back $4 at 5-1.

It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to 6-5 favorite Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch), who lost his momentum when checking and swerving to the middle of the track to avoid Graham. The Todd Pletcher trainee regained his stride too late to make an impact under John Velazquez, but closed well to take fifth over Westwon (Gone West).

"I was right behind (Slew's Tizzy) and I hit the horse head-on," Velazquez explained. "I don't know how (Circular Quay) didn't go down. I just said my prayers."

According to Pletcher, Circular Quay could show up next in the Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 10.

"He was flying by everybody at the end," the conditioner said. "Obviously, we were very unlucky today, but I wouldn't trade places with anybody now. There are troubled trips -- but it would be hard to categorize exactly what this was today. The horse looks fine, and the Louisiana Derby would be likely (as a next start)."

Next under the line were Beta Capo (Langfuhr), Spankey Come Home (Came Home), Scat Thief (Cat Thief) and Makeithapencaptain. Weather Warning (Storm Cat) bobbled at the start and was eased while Buffalo Man (El Prado [Ire]) and Teuflesberg (Johannesburg) were both withdrawn.

Graham walked off the track under his own power and would go on to win the 10TH race.

"The horse (Makeithapencaptain) stopped so badly in front of me, I clipped heels and went down," the fortunate rider said.

Notional captured the San Rafael S. (G2) prior to this one in his sophomore debut and was third in the Hollywood Prevue S. (G3) last season. The bay colt also ran sixth, just 2 1/2 lengths back of the winner, in the Hollywood Futurity (G1) to round out his juvenile campaign and has now earned $313,200 to go along with a 5-3-0-1 career mark.

Bred in the Golden State by Vessels Stallion Farm, Notional brought $235,000 as a Barretts March two-year-old in training. He is out of the winning Truly Blessed (French Deputy), who also has an unraced juvenile colt named Blessedbythebest (Apollo).

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