Derby News

J. Paul Reddam's Notional rallied impressively between rivals when set down for the drive and captured the $300,000 Grade III Risen Star Stakes, the feature of Saturday's Louisiana Derby Preview Day at Fair Grounds Race Course.

While Notional drew clear for a 2 1/4-length score, 6-5 favorite Circular Quay was finishing fifth, his chances compromised by a spill involving Slew's Tizzy at the top of the stretch.

Notional, trained by Doug O'Neill and with Robby Albarado aboard for a Fair Grounds-record 11th graded stakes win, was impressive on his own, paying $7.80, $4.80 and $4 while covering the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:44.18.

"I was in tight quarters a little turning for home," Albarado said, "but this is a nice big horse with a quick turn of foot when you ask him, and what also helped us today was a quick pace up front."

The spill occurred entering the stretch when Slew's Tizzy, ridden by James Graham, clipped heels with tiring early pacesetter Makeithapencaptain along the rail, but both fallen horse and rider apparently escaped injury. Graham, in fact, came back to win the next race of the afternoon.

Circular Quay lost all chance for the win while racing immediately behind Slew's Tizzy, was forced to take up by jockey John Velazquez, but swerved to the outside and launched an impressive late close to gain fifth position.

"He was flying by everybody at the end," said Todd Pletcher, who will be Circular Quay's trainer of record for his next start. "Obviously, we were very unlucky today, but I wouldn't trade places with anybody now.

"There are troubled trips - but it would be hard to categorize exactly what this was today. The horse looks fine, and the Louisiana Derby would be likely (as a next start)."

The Risen Star is the final prep for the Louisiana Derby on March 10.

Circular Quay's jockey, John Velazquez, offered his own colorful explanation. "I was right behind (Slew's Tizzy) and I hit the horse head-on," said Velazquez. "I don't know how he (Circular Quay) didn't go down. I just said my prayers."

Imawildandcrazyguy was up late to gain the place by a head from Zanjero, and returned $8.60 and $6, while Zanjero paid $4. Makeithapencaptain set early fractions of :23.02, :46.90, and 1:11.97.

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