The home stretch towards the Run for the Roses starts Saturday with the 2025 Risen Star Stakes. This Kentucky Derby prep race at the Fair Grounds will award the top-five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale, getting each one closer to racing at Churchill Downs on May 3. Last year’s Risen Star Stakes winner was Sierra Leone, who went on to finish second at the Kentucky Derby after longshot Mystik Dan won by a nose. Will the winner of the Risen Star Stakes 2025 have better luck? Post time for Saturday’s race in New Orleans is 7:30 p.m. ET.

East Avenue is the 9-5 favorite in the odds, followed by Built (5-1) and Vassimo (8-1). With several talented three-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, check out what SportsLine writer Gene Menez has to say before making any Risen Star Stakes picks or predictions.

Menez has extensively covered horse racing and is recognized for his accurate predictions in previous races. His insights on the 2025 Risen Star Stakes field promise valuable guidance before placing bets.

Top 2025 Risen Star Stakes Predictions

One surprise: Menez is fading East Avenue, even though he is the betting favorite at 9-5 odds. This three-year-old son of Medaglia D’Oro has two first-place finishes in three career starts, performing impressively at Ellis Park and Keeneland last year. However, his ninth-place finish at the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile raises concerns about his current form.

“Maybe he is just that much more talented than this field and he will win anyway, but on Saturday I’m going to fade East Avenue at this price. The time to bet him will be in his next start,” Menez explained.

For Saturday, Menez has carefully analyzed the field and formulated his best bets, including a double-digit longshot who is expected to thrive at longer distances.

The 2025 Risen Star Stakes Odds

Horse	Odds
American Promise	12-1
Vassimo	8-1
East Avenue	9-5
Chunk of Gold	30-1
Seattle Road	30-1
Septarian	12-1
Giocoso	20-1
Built	5-1
Render Judgement	12-1
Happy Samurai	30-1
Vamos Carlitos	30-1
Magnitude	12-1