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. That should be enough to secure a spot in the field of 20 for the May 4 Kentucky Derby, but coming close can be rewarding as well with the second through fifth finishers getting 25-15-10-5 points.

1. Tizzy Indy (50-1 morning-line odds): Was no factor in the Lecomte Stakes here at Fair Grounds last month and the $20,000 maiden claiming winner seems up against it here.

JOCKEY: James Graham; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux

2. Awesome Ruta (30-1): Broke his maiden by nine lengths but is winless in four starts since then. Seems like an unlikely spot for a return to top form.

JOCKEY: Mitchell Murrill; TRAINER: Joseph Foster

3. Honor Marie (6-1): Was an impressive winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and has trained sharply for his 3-year-old debut. Looks like one of the main threats.

JOCKEY: Rafael Bejarano; TRAINER: Whitworth Beckman                                        

4. Sierra Leone (4-1): The $2.3 million yearling rallied from last and seemed en route to victory in the stretch of the Remsen Stakes in just his second start. But then he lost momentum on a speed-favoring surface and fell short by a nose. Adds blinkers here and should have a big say with regard to the outcome.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Chad Brown

5. Moonlight (12-1): Finished fourth in the Remsen, a little more than seven lengths behind. Has the potential to take a step forward in his 3-year-old debut and merits attention if the odds are right.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

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6. Real Men Violin (8-1): Was second in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and has a trainer in Ken McPeek who can pull off a surprise in a race like this. Can’t be overlooked.

JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

7. Hall of Fame (6-1): Impressive maiden winner by 10 ¼ lengths in his second and most recent start. Has the connections and pedigree to be a big-time runner and surely looks like a contender here.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr. ; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

8. Catching Freedom (5-1): Rallied nicely to take the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Should like the added distance and may be getting better at the right time for trainer Brad Cox.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Brad Cox

9. Cardinale (12-1): Showed nice speed before losing by a neck in his first try navigating two turns. Could be the one to butt heads on the front end with Track Phantom and that may prove to be costly.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

10. Resilience (12-1): On the upswing with a decisive maiden win in his fourth start. Trained by 2023 Eclipse Award winner and Hall of Famer Bill Mott, he can make his presence felt if he takes another forward step.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Bill Mott

Track Phantom. (Ben Breland/Eclipse Sportswire)

11. Track Phantom (7-2): Looks like the one to catch and beat. Used his early speed to take the Lecomte Stakes and Gun Runner Stakes, the first two of four Derby preps at Fair Grounds. Should be highly formidable here but an outside post, the added distance, and the possibility of increased early pressure could present a tough obstacle.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

12. Bee Dancer (20-1): A six-furlong debut winner breaking from post-position 12 is hard to like but his early speed could add to the pace pressure for Track Phantom in a big field.

JOCKEY: Corey Lanerie; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart

THE PICK: Sierra Leone

LIVE LONGSHOT: Moonlight

SUPERFECTA: 4-11-3-7