Some upset victories are more stunning than others. Villanova beating Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA men’s basketball National Championship, well, that was almost unthinkable, while the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots in February 2018 was more along the lines of an eyebrow raiser.
The 2013 Risen Star Stakes – no doubt – falls into the former category.
John Shirreffs, who trained Zenyatta to a Hall of Fame career and saddled Giacomo to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby, died in his sleep Feb. 12 at his home in Arcadia, Calif. He was 80.
BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his weekly Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.
The Cajun Country of Louisiana has produced its fair share of great racehorses.
Yet Risen Star was different than any other.
He did more than just race in New Orleans. He raced for New Orleans, becoming the pride and joy of anyone who called the bayous home and making Louisiana the capital of the horse racing industry for a brief, yet unforgettable period of time.
It happened in 1988, when Risen Star emerged from Louisiana to become the hero of a Triple Crown season filled with more color and controversy than most years in the historic series.
