2023 Risen Star Stakes predictions, odds: Horse racing expert reveals picks, best bets for Fair Grounds

Gene Menez has studied the Risen Star Stakes 2023 post draw and locked in his picks for Saturday's race at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course

Trainer Brad Cox can tie the record for the most wins in the Risen Star Stakes by a trainer when he sends out three horses, including the favored Victory Formation, in the 2023 Risen Star Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. The 42-year-old Cox has won the race twice, with Mr. Monomoy in 2020 and Mandaloun in '21. With a win on Saturday he would join four trainers who have three Risen Star wins apiece. Cox's Victory Formation is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the 2023 Risen Star Stakes odds. The trainer will also saddle Tapit's Conquest, who's second in the odds at 6-1 in the 14-horse Risen Star Stakes 2023 field, and Angel of Empire, who is one of five horses listed at 8-1. 

Post time is 7:14 p.m. ET. With 14 lightly raced 3-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what SportsLine writer Gene Menez has to say before making any 2023 Risen Star Stakes picks.

A former reporter and editor at Sports Illustrated, Menez covered an array of sports, including horse racing, for the magazine and its website for almost 14 years. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as SI's handicapper for the Triple Crown races and correctly predicted Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby in 2010. In 2015, while writing for Sports on Earth, Menez accurately gave out the Kentucky Derby superfecta (American Pharoah, Firing Line, Dortmund and Frosted), which paid $1,268.20 for $2. Then in 2017, he tweeted out his Kentucky Derby picks, including Always Dreaming to win, and hit the Pick 4, which paid almost $6,900 on a $1 bet.

On Dec. 26, Menez hit the Pick 5 at Santa Anita Park for $798.70. And in the last month he has cashed the winner of the Lecomte Stakes ($172.50), the exacta in the Southwest Stakes ($468), the winner of the Holy Bull Stakes ($180) and the winner of the Sam F. Davis Stakes ($228).

Now, he has handicapped the 2023 Risen Star Stakes lineup, made his picks and constructed his bets. Head to SportsLine to see them. 

Top 2023 Risen Star Stakes predictions

One surprise: Menez is fading Victory Formation, even though he is the 3-1 morning-line favorite. A son of 2017 Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit, Victory Formation is undefeated in three career starts. He is coming off a three-length victory in the Smarty Jones Stakes.

But in that race he set an uncontested lead, a scenario that is not likely to happen on Saturday with other speed horses to his inside. Also, "His No. 13 post draw means there's a chance he might have to be used early to secure a forward position or might lose ground around the turns," Menez told SportsLine. Menez is using Victory Formation only sparingly in his wagers. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make 2023 Risen Star Stakes picks

Menez's top pick is a double-digit longshot who "is bred to run all day." He also is high on another double-digit longshot who "should benefit from the expected pace and long stretch." He's sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.

So what double-digit longshot wins the Risen Star Stakes? What other double-digit longshot is a must-back? And how has Menez constructed his wagers? Check out the latest Risen Star Stakes odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Menez's picks for the Risen Star Stakes.

2023 Risen Stakes odds, post positions

Prg #	Horse	Odds	Projection
1	Quiet as Midnight	50-1	SEE PICKS
2	Single Ruler	30-1	SEE PICKS
3	Shaq Diesel	30-1	SEE PICKS
4	Determinedly	8-1	SEE PICKS
5	Harlocap	8-1	SEE PICKS
6	Angel of Empire	8-1	SEE PICKS
7	Sun Thunder	15-1	SEE PICKS
8	Tapit's Conquest	6-1	SEE PICKS
9	Curly Jack	8-1	SEE PICKS
10	Two Phil's	8-1	SEE PICKS
11	Silver Heist	12-1	SEE PICKS
12	Crupi	15-1	SEE PICKS
13	Victory Formation	3-1	SEE PICKS
14	Private Creed	12-1	SEE PICKS