The 2022 Risen Star Stakes runs on Saturday at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. The Risen Star awards 85 qualification points for the 2022 Kentucky Derby to the top four finishers on a 50-20-10-5 basis, virtually guaranteeing the winner a spot in the Derby starting gate. The Kenny McPeek-trained Smile Happy is the 7-2 morning-line favorite in the 2022 Risen Star Stakes odds. Post time is 6:58 p.m. ET. 

Before you make any Risen Star Stakes 2022 picks or bets, you NEED to see the latest picks from racing insider and Beyer Speed Figure maker Bob Weir. 

A Saratoga Springs-based racing insider and Beyer Speed Figure maker, Weir has constructed his wagers in his analysis below. A two-time qualifier for the prestigious National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas, Weir has produced multiple five-figure days at the track over the years, including a $60,000 Pick 6 at Del Mar in 2014. Last year, he was on fire. He hit the exacta in the Sam F. Davis Stakes, Tampa Bay Derby and Peter Pan Stakes, the trifecta in the Risen Star Stakes, Blue Grass Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby and the superfecta in the Belmont Stakes, with the Tampa Bay score returning $1,414. Those were just some of his scores in 2021.

Now, Weir has handicapped the Risen Star Stakes 2022 field, made his picks and constructed his bets.

One surprise: Weir is mostly fading Epicenter, even though he is one of the top favorites at 4-1. "Epicenter has Steve Asmussen in his corner, but it's hard to have confidence in him after he was run down late in the Lecomte," Weir told SportsLine.

Weir's top pick is a horse who is a "versatile runner. He also is high on a double-digit long shot who is making a major change on Saturday! Weir is including these horses in his 2022 Risen Star Stakes bets, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks before locking in any of your own.

What horse wins the 2022 Risen Star Stakes? And what double-digit long shot is a MUST-BACK? ... Join SportsLine right now to get the top 2022 Risen Star Stakes picks and bets, all from the racing insider who has been on fire!