International Star rallied to edge War Story by 2 3/4 lengths Saturday night in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds.
Five weeks earlier, International Star closed fast to beat War Story in the Grade III Lecomte Stakes, also held at the New Orleans track.
The 3-year-old, trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Miguel Mena, all but earned enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.
International Star covered the 1 1/16-mile course in 1:43.82 and paid $9.60, $4.60, and $3.40. The victory, worth $240,000, increased International Star's career earnings to $560,979, with four wins and two seconds in eight starts.
War Story returned $4.80 and $3.40. Keen Ice paid $4 to show.
Second-place jockey Kent Desormeaux unsuccessfully claimed foul against Mena for interference on the clubhouse turn.
