Z Dager exited his game runner-up performance in the $175,000 Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds in good order, and the son of Mizzen Mast will now be pointed for the next local Derby prep in New Orleans – the $300,000 Risen Star S. (G2) on Feb. 25.

Tracking a modest pace on the rail, Z Dager worked his way out for clear running room in the stretch and rallied determinedly to fall just a head short at the wire. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the 3-year-old colt figures to appreciate the added ground in the 1 1/16-mile Risen Star.

Dan and Sheila, the other part of the Zayat entry in the Lecomte, also came out of the race well after making up more ground than anyone in the field late to be a fast-closing fourth. The son of More Than Ready broke a little flat-footed which forced him to lose good early position, and he was subsequently shuffled back towards the rear in the full field of 13.

Despite the undesirable trip, Dan and Sheila made up close to 10 lengths on the top finishers while rallying wide to be a respectable fourth, beaten only 3 ¼ lengths. The race was a nice education for him, and he displayed good determination overcoming the trip to finish competitively. Dan and Sheila returned to trainer Todd Pletcher's barn in south Florida, where he'll likely take the next step in stretching out.

Pletcher also unveiled another 3-year-old colt for Zayat Stables Saturday when Z Vilna turned in an eye-catching rally to be second in a nice Maiden Special Weight heat at Gulfstream. The promising son of Unbridled's Song bobbled at the start but recovered to make a strong four-wide move in the stretch and finish with good energy in the six-furlong event.

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