Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks Including KY Derby Prep Risen Star Stakes for Saturday 2/18/23

The Fair Grounds meet continues Saturday with Championship Series races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Six stakes races are featured, headlined by the Rachel Alexandra Stakes for 3-year-old fillies in Race 12 and Risen Star Stakes for 3-year-olds in Race 13 -- a Kentucky Derby prep race. Post time to start the day is 1 p.m. ET.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, monitor the weather and keep an eye on the track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races after adjusting for track, distances, and conditions).

Fair Grounds Betting

Here are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Two Emmys and Cavalry Charge, Race 11

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 6/1
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Race 11 is the $150,000 Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes for older horses at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The Horse Racing Nation picks and numberFire projections both land on Two Emmys (3/1) and Cavalry Charge (6/1) as top win contenders. General Soul (7/2) won the last race by defeating Two Emmys.

2. Vahva and Chop Chop, Race 12

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 8/5
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 12 is the $300,000 Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. This is a Kentucky Oaks Championship Series race with the top 5 finishers in the 6-horse field awarded qualifying points (50-20-15-10-5).

The Horse Racing Nation picks include Vahva (8/1) over the favorites Chop Chop (8/5) and Hoosier Philly (6/5). The numberFire picks are the two favorites. Hoosier Philly is a deserving favorite, but her reserve index is on par with the other two choices while Vahva offers value.

3. Curly Jack and Two Phil's, Race 13

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 8/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 13 is the $400,000 Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. This is a Kentucky Derby Championship Series race with the top 5 finishers awarded qualifying points (50-20-15-10-5).

Racing picks are provided in the FanDuel Risen Star preview with the full field and odds. Horse Racing Nation's top win contenders include Two Phil's (8/1), Tapit's Conquest (6/1), Harlocap (8/1) and Curly Jack (8/1) with the favorite Victory Formation (3/1) not of as much interest from an outside No. 13 post. The numberFire data shows Two Phil's and Curly Jack as top win choices and Private Creed (12/1) as a longshot who can hit the board.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.