Dolantori Racing’s STARLARKS (Ire) (Mujahid) could manage no better than
fourth to Strawberry Tart (Atticus) in the July 3 Flawlessly S. at Hollywood
Park, but she gained her revenge in Saturday’s $150,000
San
Clemente H. (G2) at Del Mar. Flying down the center of the course in deep
stretch, the Paddy Gallagher filly got up in the nick of time to catch
Strawberry Tart by a nose on the wire. The 11-1 Starlarks blitzed the mile on
firm turf in 1:33 4/5 with Alex Solis and returned $24.60, $9.80 and $5.60 for
her first stakes score.
The San Clemente set up beautifully for a closer after 2-1 favorite Carlsbad
(Rocky Bar) and Oilgonewile (Montbrook) engaged in a wicked speed duel. Carlsbad
had the advantage while tearing through splits of :21 2/5 and :45, and she got
away from her pace rival entering the far turn, getting six furlongs in 1:09
3/5. As Oilgonewile gave way and dropped back quickly, the rest of the field was
advancing, and traffic troubles ensued for a few. Meanwhile, though Carlsbad won
the pace battle, she lost the war, as she had nothing left for the drive.
Strawberry Tart swept to the front in the stretch, then braced for
challenges. The only one finishing strongly enough to threaten was Starlarks,
who had been last of 10 through the first half-mile. Strawberry Tart just failed
to contain the winner’s thrust and had to settle for second. The runner-up paid
$3.80 and $3.20 and completed the $49.40 exacta ($1) while finishing a clear
second by 1 1/4 lengths.
The 12-1 Hameildaeme (GB) (Storming Home [GB]), who was reluctant to load
into the gate, showed a more willing attitude in the race itself and checked in
third. Hameildaeme furnished $7.20 and rounded out the $443.10 trifecta ($1).
Just another nose away in fourth came Internallyflawless (Giant’s Causeway),
resulting in a $2,877.30 superfecta (8-3-10-6) ($1). Carlsbad, Acting Lady
(Theatrical [Ire]), Kaweah Princess (Soto), Nan (High Yield), Fastongrass
(Forest Wildcat) and Oilgonewile completed the order under the wire. Wake Me Now
(Ire) (Almutawakel [GB]) did not draw in from the also-eligible list.
Starlarks won two of seven outings as a juvenile in England, breaking her
maiden on the turf third time out and adding a nursery score on the Polytrack at
Great Leighs. Eighth in the Oh So Sharp S. (Eng-G3) in her British finale, the
bay was sold for $106,907 at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale and
resurfaced in Southern California. Starlarks dropped her first four stateside
attempts, including a third to subsequent Honeymoon H. (G2) heroine Well Monied
(Maria’s Mon) and Hameildaeme in a Hollywood allowance/optional claimer. Next
time out, Starlarks broke through with a front-running victory at that same
level, then wound up fourth in the aforementioned Flawlessly. Her scorecard now
reads 14-4-2-2, and she more than doubled her earnings to $171,237.
Bred by Stourbank Stud in the Emerald Isle, Starlarks was produced by the
winning Violet (Mukaddamah), who is herself a half-sister to Hong Kong champion
Industrial Pioneer (Namaqualand). Prior to export, Industrial Pioneer raced in
England under the name of Sobriety, placing third in the Gordon S. (Eng-G3). In
his new homeland, Industrial Pioneer landed the Centenary Vase, Hong Kong Derby
and Hong Kong Gold Cup.