Normandy Invasion on course for Risen Star

Speaking over the phone from South Florida Thursday morning, trainer Chad

Brown confirmed that Normandy Invasion would be coming to New Orleans for the

Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds on February 23.

"We're planning on it," Brown said of the 1 1/16-mile Risen Star, Fair

Grounds' designed prep for the 100th running of the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on

March 30.

The bay sophomore son of Tapit has not run since a fast-closing second in the

Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct last November 24, but his defeat by a nose in the 1

1/8-mile race has Brown thinking positively about the long stretch run at Fair

Grounds.

"He ran good in the Remsen," Brown said, "and he's been training real good

down here in Florida. But he hasn't had a lot of experience and I know the

(speed-favoring) track at Gulfstream wouldn't be conducive to his style. We're

searching for a better situation."

Normandy Invasion breezed a bullet five furlongs at South Florida's Palm

Meadows training center in 1:00 2/5 last Sunday.

"We're cranking him now," Brown said. "I'm probably also going to send Hyper

up there with him (for the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Handicap) and at some point I'm

planning on being there, as well."

Other probables for the Risen Star include Oxbow, an 11 1/2-length winner of

the Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds on January 19; Lecomte runner-up Golden

Soul; Grade 3 Delta Jackpot third-placer Mylute; the Todd Pletcher-trained

Palace Malice, who exits a runner-up in a Gulfstream allowance; and impressive

local maiden winner Proud Strike.

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