Study Guide: 2026 Risen Star Stakes

Feb 10, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Golden Tempo wins the Lecomte at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography)

Saturday’s $500,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds is a pivotal stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

As the kickoff leg of the Kentucky Derby Champion Series, the Risen Star is the most valuable Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifier so far this year, awarding 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers.

Eight horses have entered the 2026 Risen Star. Let’s meet the field:

Universe

Universe wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: 4 G Racing, Gregg Day, Steven Crain, and Magdalena Racing
Breeder: Becky Pietras
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Christopher Elliott

Top Speed Rating: (91) when finishing second in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $239,650

Sire: Global Campaign
Dam: Equalityforall
Color: Bay

Universe has recorded a trio of top-three finishes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, including when third in the Champagne (G1). But a recent seventh-place finish in the Smarty Jones S. was well below his best. He’ll need a rebound to factor in the Risen Star.

Golden Tempo

Golden Tempo wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photo)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Phipps Stable
Breeder: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stables
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning the Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $183,000

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Carrumba
Color: Bay

Golden Tempo is unbeaten in two starts at Fair Grounds, most recently launching a last-to-first rally in the Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds. The son of Curlin is bred to relish racing 1 1/8 miles, but he’s yet to run as fast as expected Risen Star favorite Paladin in terms of Brisnet Speed ratings.

A @reredevaux exacta in the G3 Leocomte! 🏆 @fairgroundsnola

GOLDEN TEMPO comes up the rail after being last to earn 20 @kentuckyderby points! @jose93_ortiz was aboard! 🌹

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ZYTBtAaRzS

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 18, 2026

Carson Street

Carson Street wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photo)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 3

Owner: Ike and Dawn Thrash
Breeder: Stonehaven Steadings
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Ben Curtis

Top Speed Rating: (87) when finishing third in the Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $110,400

Sire: Street Sense
Dam: Miz Kella
Color: Dark bay/brown

Carson Street performed respectably against Golden Tempo in the Lecomte, finishing third by one length after pressing a solid pace. But he’ll need a step forward to turn the tables.

Paladin

Paladin wins the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durand)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith, and Summer Wind Equine
Breeder: Summer Wind Equine
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (98) when winning the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $184,250

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Secret Sigh
Color: Chestnut

The horse to beat in the Risen Star is Paladin, whose perfect 2-for-2 record includes a win in the Remsen (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. In the Remsen, Paladin charged home two lengths in front of Renegade, who later won the Sam F. Davis S. on the Kentucky Derby trail. With a 98 Brisnet Speed rating under his belt, Paladin is the fastest horse in the Risen Star field, and he’ll be a formidable win threat in his first race of 2026.

Chip Honcho

Chip Honcho wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe, and John Cilia
Breeder: Venneri Racing and Tony Fanticola
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing second in a Keeneland maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $160,475

Sire: Connect
Dam: Miss My Rose
Color: Dark bay/brown

Chip Honcho found success in Fair Grounds’ first 2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Derby, battling to victory in the Gun Runner S. But he subsequently tired to finish fourth by 1 3/4 lengths in the Lecomte and will need improvement to get the better of Golden Tempo and Carson Street.

Colt Forty Seven

Colt Forty Seven wins at Horseshoe Indiana. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 8
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Blazing Saddles Racing Stables 2024
Breeder: Wimberley Bloodstock
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: James Graham

Top Speed Rating: (81) when finishing second in a $125,000 allowance optional claimer at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $87,670

Sire: Bolt d’Oro
Dam: Getting Lucky
Color: Bay

Colt Forty Seven performed respectably in a $125,000 allowance optional claimer racing 1 1/16 miles at Fair Grounds last month, rallying from last place to finish second. But the Risen Star is a much tougher spot, and his career-best 81 Brisnet Speed rating looks light against this field.

Courting

Courting wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Whisper Hill Farm, Stonestreet Stables, and Windancer Farm
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing fourth in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $66,850

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Cavorting
Color: Chestnut

Courting closed some ground from off the pace to finish fourth behind Paladin in the Remsen. He’s slated to wear blinkers for the first time in the Risen Star, which could potentially sharpen his early speed and lead to an improved performance. Don’t count Courting out of the mix for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won the Risen Star three times.

Quality Mischief

Quality Mischief wins at Horseshoe Indiana. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: West Paces Racing and Donegal Racing
Breeder: Robert Low and Lawana Low
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Top Speed Rating: (84) on two occasions, including when finishing fourth in the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $30,360

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Quality Way
Color: Bay

Quality Mischief has finished fourth in the Gun Runner and fifth in the Lecomte, in the process accumulating a handful of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points. But he’ll need improvement if he’s going to turn the tables on Chip Honcho, Golden Tempo, and Carson Street.