Specifically, the Risen Star Stakes is a Grade II event for 3-year-olds run at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, LA. The race is contested annually in February at a distance of 1 1/8 miles. The purse is currently $400,000, and the race is a major prep for the Louisiana Derby (G1). Also, the Risen Star is one of many prep races on the ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Horse racing Odds winner of the Risen Star receives 50 Derby points. Also, the horse secures a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.
2025 Risen Star Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, February 15, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, LA |
| TV Coverage: | TwinSpires.com |
| Betting Online Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
2025 Risen Star Odds Overview
This race was renamed to honor locally owned Risen Star, a son of Secretariat. Risen Star won the race in 1988 and went on to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Late on, he was voted the 1988 Eclipse Award for American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse. Risen Star finished 3rd in the Kentucky Derby but is the only Risen Star Stakes winner to win two Triple Crown races.
The race earned its graded online betting status in 2002 and was upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2 in 2010. Namely, Epicenter currently holds the speed record at the current length when he turned in a time of 1:49.03 in 2022.
2025 Risen Star Top Contenders
Jonathan’s Way
Jonathan’s Way is a 3-year-old colt and has raced in 2024. Vekoma sired him out of the Indian Charlie mare Female Drama. He was trained by Philip A. Bauer and has raced for Rigney Racing LLC, and was bred in Ohio, United States by Susan L. Anderson Racing LLC. Jonathan’s Way has raced at Churchill Downs, Del Mar, and Saratoga.
Last time out for Jonathan’s Way was on November 30, 2024. The race was the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club. Jonathan’s Way finished second behind First Resort. The Race was 1 1/16 miles in length and run at Churchill Downs.
On November 1, 2024, Jonathan’s Way ran at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. In sum, he was not at his best and finished 7th behind the winner, Citizen Bull.
Previously, on September 14, 2024, Jonathan’s Way won the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Downs. Owen Almighty and Social Hour finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Built
Yet another popular pick for the Risen Star is Built. Built is a 3-year-old colt and has raced from 2024 to 2025. Hard Spun sired him out of the Curlin mare Sea Garden. He was trained by Wayne M. Catalano and has raced for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and was bred in Kentucky, United States by Robert Low & Lawana Low. Built has raced at Ellis Park, Fair Grounds, and Keeneland.
Last time out, Built ran on January 18, 2025, at the Grade 3 Lecomte. The race took place at Fairgrounds Park. Second place behind the winner, Disco Time, was the result. Previously, Built won the Gun Runner on December 21, 2024, at Fair Grounds. Also, he was the winner of a Keeneland maiden race on October 6, 2024.
American Promise
Additionally, American Promise will draw plenty of action with the Risen Star Odds. American Promise is a 3-year-old colt and has raced from 2024 to 2025. He was sired by Justify out of the Tapit mare Tapella. He was trained by D. Wayne Lukas and has raced for BC Stables, LLC, and was bred in Kentucky, United States by Candy Meadows LLC. American Promise has raced and won at Churchill Downs, Oaklawn Park, Saratoga.
Last time out, American Promise finished 7th at the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. Speed King was the winner.
2025 Risen Star SBG Best Bets: American Promise.