Dollar Bill, with Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron aboard, heads for the finish line of the Risen Star Stakes, Sunday.
Gary and Mary West's Dollar Bill stalked early leader Gracie's Dancer while racing in third-place on the backstretch before collaring that rival in the stretch en route to a 2 1/2-length win in the $125,000 Risen Star Stakes Sunday at Fair Grounds. Under jockey Chris McCarron, who was riding the 3-year-old colt for the first time, Dollar Bill completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.45 on a fast track.The win is the second straight stakes win for the $145,000 yearling purchase, who capped his 2-year-old season with a win in the Brown and Williamson Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II). Trained by Dallas Stewart, Dollar Bill (Peaks and Valleys -- Saratoga Dame, by Saratoga Six) earned $75,000 for the win, his third in six starts. Aside from his two stakes wins, Dollar Bill also finished second in the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. II) before a dull 10th-place outing in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). Dollar Bill was bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Courtney.Gracie's Dancer led from the start and maintained position under only slight pressure from Mc Mahon. Gracie's Dancer edged away on the backstretch and carried a four-length lead into the stretch as Mc Mahon and Dollar Bill began to move on the leader. Dollar Bill closed well through the stretch and kicked clear once past the game Gracie's Dancer, who held on to finish second in his first race beyond sprint distances. Rahy's Secret finished third, followed by Me and Thee, Fifty Stars, Mt. Blake, Mc Mahon, Sparkling Sabre, Mr. Sulu, and One Special Judge.Dollar Bill returned $3.80, $3.20, and $2.60. Gracie's Dancer paid $14.80 and $8 and completed a $60.80 exacta. Rahy's Secret was worth $4.20 to show. (Chart, Equibase)
