Rising Stars Drawn Outside in KJC

Two recently designated 'TDN Rising Stars' drew the outside two slots in a 12-horse renewal of the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. on the final Saturday of the Churchill Downs racing calendar.

Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred McCraken (Ghostzapper) took a ton of play first out Oct. 2 under the Twin Spires for the usually patient first-out Ian Wilkes barn and ran to the money with a powerful off-the-pace tally. The bay then navigated stakes waters with aplomb when again displaying a powerful late kick to capture the Street Sense S. by open lengths and earn his Rising Star badge Oct. 30. McCraken appears to have come out of the race in fine order, breezing a local five-furlong bullet in :59 2/5 Nov. 15.

Harry T. Rosenblum and trainer Wayne Catalano unveiled a highly promising runner Oct. 19 at Keeneland in Uncontested (Tiz Wonderful), who went straight out to the front and took no prisoners, romping by six lengths to earn his Rising Star nod. Finishing second that day was Untrapped (Trappe Shot), who came back with a Rising Star-worthy maiden win himself Nov. 20. Bought into by Bob LaPenta after that effort, the $20,000 KEESEP grad produced a five-furlong interim bullet of his own, going the distance in :59 3/5 here Nov. 19.

Wild Shot (Trappe Shot), a maiden winner sprinting on this oval Sept. 18, rates a strong chance off a good third behind GI Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity. Setting a fast pace that day, the Calumet Farm homebred held gamely until late stretch at 42-1.