Imperia Taking On Nine Rivals in $400,000 Risen Star Stakes

Imperia has been tabbed as the morning line favorite at odds of 7-2 for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. A dark bay son of Medaglia d’Oro, he began his career on the turf and broke his maiden in his second career start. After a poor performance in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), he switched to the main track and finished second by a head to El Kabeir in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). He will get a jockey change to Mike Smith and they will break from post position five.

International Star has experience edge

Second choice at 9-2 on the morning line is International Star for trainer Michael Maker. Purchased for $85,000 by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, the bay son of Fusaichi Pegasus has won three of his seven starts and was last seen winning the LeComte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds. He has been training sharply at Fair Grounds and has recorded a recent bullet workout. Miguel Mena will be back aboard and they will break from the outside post.

War Story gets another shot after runner-up 

Also in the field at morning line odds of 5-1 is War Story for trainer Tom Amoss. A chestnut son of Northern Afleet, he won the first two starts of his career before taking on stakes company last time out in the LeComte (G2). After a slow start and a wide trip, he had to settle for second behind International Star and has been training forwardly since that race. Kent Desormeaux will be aboard for the first time and they will break from post six.