Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
WHAT HORSE DENIED RISEN STAR THE 1988 TRIPLE CROWN?
2/10/2021
Risen Star for whom the feature race tomorrow is named was sired by the great Secretariat. He was trained by the singing trainer, Louie Roussel III, who also was his part owner. He boasted a lifetime record of 8 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from eleven starts—100% in the money career. With just ten years since a horse had won the Triple Crown, the Louisiana contingent that owned him thought they were going to have the next Triple Crown winner. They were almost right. They won the Belmont Stakes by daylight bringing up images of his sire who won that race by 31 lengths. He preceded that race by winning the Preakness Stakes in a hard-fought battle. However, effort in the Kentucky Derby was less than successful. In that race the field let the filly, Winning Colors, get the lead and surprise them all with a gate to wire victory. Risen Star finished third. He ended the year with the accolade of Champion 3-year-old of the year.