The depth and quality of the 12 3-year-olds entered for Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds is by far the strongest to date on the Road to the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.
Welcome to Noel Michaels’ Weekend Winners, the place to go for weekend best bets and spot plays from veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer Noel Michaels. Check back every week for a couple of highlighted selections designed to help you cash a few bets and make some money.
We’re well in the thick of prep season now for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, and both the points leaderboard standings and the roster of top contenders based on poll results are in flux, caused in part by the underwhelming return of 2023 champion juvenile Fierceness to the track two weeks ago in the
Sunland Park made a significant change to its stakes schedule for 2024, moving the Sunland Park Derby five weeks back on the calendar from its previous spot in March to February.
The battle for qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve takes on a new look Saturday with the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds serving as the first prep race offering 50 qualifying points to the winner.
