Derby trail: Jonathan's Way remains on track for Risen Star

Jonathan’s Way, who was last seen finishing second in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs on November 30, breezed an easy five furlongs on Monday morning at Fair Grounds.

Working in company with the 5-year-old Kigali, the 3-year-old Ohio-bred son of Vekoma stopped the timer in 1:03.2. It was his third recorded work since the Jockey Club, all at Fair Grounds. He is trained by Phil Bauer for owner Richard Rigney.

“Mother Nature has dealt us a few different tracks (conditions-wise) the last couple of days so I was happy with the work,” Bauer said. “I wasn’t too concerned about the final time. The gallop out was very good. We are still pointing to the Risen Star as our starting point this year.”

The $500,000 Risen Star (G2) will be the featured race on the Louisiana Derby preview day card Feb. 15. Won last year by eventual Kentucky Derby runner-up and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone, the Risen Star gives 3-year-olds an early nine furlong test. It is the first race worth 50-25-15-10-5 points on the road to Kentucky Derby 151. That day’s $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) will reward the same number of points for the Kentucky Oaks.

Also eyeing the Risen Star for his 3-year-old debut is the Godolphin homebred East Avenue. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner fired a 59.4-second, five-furlong bullet Friday at Fair Grounds.

In the third Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool, which wrapped up Sunday evening, Jonathan’s Way closed at 49-1 while East Avenue landed at 15-1.

Were he to win the Kentucky Derby, Jonathan's Way would become the second Ohio-bred to do so. Wintergreen won it in 1909.