Stonerside Stable’s homebred COUNTRY STAR (Empire Maker) left little doubt in
the stretch as to who was best on this day, as the juvenile filly streaked home
a comprehensive winner of the $425,500
Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) over the
Cushion Track on Saturday. Conditioned by Bobby Frankel and ridden by Rafael
Bejarano, the dark bay finished off 1 1/16 miles in a track record 1:40 2/5
en route to her second straight Grade 1 conquer. The superb Kentucky-bred was no
secret at the windows as she returned $4, $3 and $2.40 as the even-money
favorite.
Spritely (Touch Gold) from the inside and Time Reveals All (Pulpit) moved in
tandem on the front early, setting a swift tempo through splits of :23 1/5, :46
1/5 and 1:10 for the opening six panels. Time Reveals All held a head
lead at the top of the stretch, but it wouldn’t last long as Bejarano had just
begun to urge his mount while four wide. The margin at the wire was 2 3/4
lengths, with the late-running Grace and Power (More Than Ready) rallying from
last to be a clear second. The runner-up was worth $9.20 and $5.60 and completed
the $19.50 exacta ($1) at 13-1. The Golden Noodle (D’wildcat) was next to last
after the opening three-quarters but closed well to gain third another two
lengths back. Sent off at 17-1, the third-placer gave back $4.80 while finishing
off the $175.30 trifecta ($1). Set Play (Van Nistelrooy) concluded the $801.10
superfecta ($1) (6-8-7-9) three lengths behind at 20-1.
Foxy Danseur (Mr. Greeley) was a neck back in fifth and trailed by Time
Reveals All, Sunday Geisha (Sunday Break [Jpn]), 3-1 second choice Grace Anatomy
(Aldebaran) and Spritely.
Country Star improved her mark to 3-2-1-0, $575,900. The lass captured the
Alcibiades S. (G1) in her most recent effort while breaking her maiden at the
same time. She is the third registered foal out of 2000 Ashland S. (G1) heroine
and Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Rings a Chime (Metfield), and has an unnamed
weanling half-brother by Storm Cat.