Risen Star, Rachel Alexandra fields coming together

As of Friday morning, with 15 days to

go until Louisiana Derby Preview Day on February 22 at Fair Grounds, a field of 10 sophomores seemed probable for the Grade

2, $400,000 Risen Star

with more to come over the weekend.

The 1 1/16-mile contest is the second leg of the series of Fair Grounds races

building up to the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby on March 29. The series

began in the Lecomte on January 18.

Reigning Eclipse Award-winner trainer Todd Pletcher was

expected to ship at least one horse for all five stakes on Preview Day,

including at least one for the Risen Star, and was due to make the choice of

which of his plethora of stable stars were coming to New Orleans by Monday.

However, at the present time, Lecomte winner Vicar's in Trouble tops the list of prospects based on his 6

3/4-length victory in that Grade 3 event on January 18.

Topping the earnings list of those presently expected for the Risen Star is Rise Up, six-length winner of the

November 23 Delta Jackpot last out who would be making his first

start as a three-year-old.

The connections of five members of the distaff set indicated that the Grade

3, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra would be the next assignment for their fillies on

Friday as well.

The Rachel Alexandra is the second leg of Fair Grounds'

sophomore filly series that will conclude with the Grade 2, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks on

Louisiana Derby Day March 29. Five of the last nine Fair Grounds Oaks winners

have gone on to win the Kentucky Oaks later in the spring.

Heading the list of those targeting the Rachel Alexandra is

Ria Antonia, adjudged winner of the Breeders' Cup

Juvenile Fillies last November 2 at Santa Anita but absent from competition since

then. The daughter of Rockport Harbor is expected to breeze Sunday after her

trainer arrives in New Orleans and a further update on her status will be made

after the move.

Untapable, a daughter of Tapit who

was the winner of Churchill Downs' Pocahontas last September and third in

the Hollywood Starlet on December 7 in her most recent start, has had three

works so far at Fair Grounds in preparation for the upcoming Rachel Alexandra.

Next on the list of those presently expected for the Rachel Alexandra is Divine Beauty, most recently runner-up in Fair

Grounds' Silverbulletday on January 18. The winner of the Silverbulletday, Unbridled Forever, is being held out of the

Rachel Alexandra to be pointed for the Fair Grounds Oaks as her next assignment.