The Risen Star Stakes is a prominent Grade II horse race that serves as a key prep race for the Louisiana Derby and the Kentucky Derby. Held annually at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, this race covers a distance of 1 1/8 miles on dirt and offers a significant prize purse of $500,000.
The 2026 Risen Star Stakes is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 14. This race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering vital qualifying points to top finishers.
Over the years, the Risen Star Stakes has produced several notable winners who have gone on to achieve greater success in the racing world. One of the most memorable victors is Gun Runner, who won the race in 2016 and later captured titles in the Breeder's Cup Classic and earned Horse of the Year honors.
In 2008, Pyro added his name to the list of winners with a dominant performance, and in 1998, Comic Strip left a lasting impression with a strong win. The race is named after Risen Star, who won the Louisiana Derby in 1988 and placed well in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Paladin | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad C. Brown | 1:49.14 |
| 2025 | Magnitude | Ben Curtis | Steven M. Asmussen | 1:48.85 |
| 2024 | Sierra Leone | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad C. Brown | 1:52.13 |
| 2023 | Angel of Empire | Luis Saez | Brad H. Cox | 1:51.47 |
| 2022 | Epicenter | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | 1:49.30 |
| 2021 | Mandaloun | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | 1:50.39 |
| 2020 | Modernist | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | 1:50.43 |
The Risen Star Stakes is an important stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering 50 points to the winner. This makes it a pivotal race for three-year-old horses looking to secure their place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. Online horse betting platforms often feature the Risen Star Stakes prominently due to its impact on Derby standings.
