A maiden winner over nine furlongs at Aqueduct in early January, Pam and Martin Wygod’s homebred Modernist was dismissed at odds of 12-1 in Saturday’s second division of the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes. The 3-year-old by Uncle Mo broke sharply and rushed up to battle for the lead early, then dug in through the stretch run to win by three-quarters of a length over Major Fed (9-1). Ridden by Junior Alvarado for trainer Bill Mott, Modernist ran nine furlongs over the Fair Grounds’ fast main track in 1:51.28.
With his first graded stakes victory, Modernist earned 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The updated leaderboard can be accessed here: Derby Leaderboard.
The post-time favorite at even money, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Anneau d’Or faded in the stretch and finished ninth of the 11-horse field.
Liam’s Lucky Charm and Excession broke through the gate before the start, but were re-loaded and sent off with the field. Heading into the clubhouse turn, both Modernist and Ny Traffic were intent on the early lead and raced together through fractions of :24.38 and :48.57. Anneau d’Or was well-positioned early in fourth, just behind Liam’s Lucky Charm.
Modernist held firm through the far turn, and fended off the late challenge of Major Fed in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length. Ny Traffic hung on to finish third, while Mailman Money was fourth.
Bred in Kentucky by his owners, Modernist is a third-generation homebred out of the unraced Bernardini mare Symbolic Gesture. His second dam is Sweet Life, the 2009 Broodmare of the Year and dam of millionaires Life is Sweet and Sweet Catomine. He was fifth on debut, then third in his second start before breaking his maiden at third asking. The Risen Star is his second victory, and improves his career earnings to nearly $290,000.
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