Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen knew what needed to happen if his longshot Magnitude was to have a chance in the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G1) at Fair Grounds, one of the Kentucky Derby prep races for the weekend.
Jockey Ben Curtis followed instructions as Magnitude broke best of all from the outside 12 post and went gate-to-wire for a 9 ¾-length romp over fellow longshot Chunk of Gold on Saturday.
Magnitude. Coady Photo.
Kentucky Derby Prep Races Contenders Analysis
The Asmussen’s Magnitude Pick
The Risen Star is the first Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifier, with 50 points to the winner, clinching Magnitude’s spot in the Run for the Roses starting gate. The next four finishers picked up 25-15-10-5 points, respectively.
Asmussen said after sending out Yinzer to win a maiden race by going gate-to-wire along the rail earlier on the card, he hoped for the same from Magnitude.
“Watching the races today, with the post he had, he hit the ground running,’’ Asmussen said after his fourth Risen Star win. “I talked to Ben. There’s two ways to get over, either in front of them or behind them. He broke well. He took the initiative. The horse was moving beautifully. We just played to the bias of the racetrack.”
Bettors dismissed Magnitude at 43-1 odds, but he returned $88.40 on a $2 win bet. Chunk of Gold, also 43-1, rallied for second and paid $32.20 on a $2 place bet. A $1 exacta of 13-5 returned $1,314.70.
The Other Contenders
Behind Magnitude, East Avenue, the 4-5 favorite, sat just off Magnitude until the turn for home but faded to the back of the field and finished in a dead heat for 10th with Seattle Road.
Built, the Gun Runner Stakes winner and second in the Lecomte Stakes (G3), finished third, followed by Vassimo and American Promise. Septarian, Jolly Samurai, Render Judgment, Vamos Carlito, East Avenue/Seattle Road, and Giocoso completed the order of finish. Jonathan’s Way was scratched.
The winning time for the 1 1/8-mile Risen Star was 1:48.85 over a fast track.
Points Leaders
This weekend, the Kentucky Derby Prep Races Leaderboard saw several moves, including Magnitude’s move into second place with 55 points (behind Citizen Bull), Built’s 15 points to total 35 for third, and Chunk of Gold’s 25 points for fifth.