Harissa, Freedom Star score by daylight at Sunland

A pair of Southern California-based distaffers found Sunland Park's

traditional dirt surface quite hospitable on Sunday. Gem, Inc.'s HARISSA (Afleet

Alex) rolled to a 3 1/2-length triumph in the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks in her

dirt debut, while George Krikorian's FREEDOM STAR (Street Cry [Ire]) remained

perfect from two dirt starts with a 2 1/4-length decision in the $103,500 Harry

Henson H.

Harissa hounded the pacesetting Hayley's Halo (Sea of Secrets), who carved

out splits of :23 2/5, :46 3/5 and 1:11 1/5. The pair dueled in earnest from the

far turn until midstretch, when Harissa began to get the upper hand. Once Tyler

Baze got her to switch leads, the David Hofmans pupil cleared away to win in a

final time of 1:42 4/5 for 1 1/16 miles on the fast track.  The co-second

choice at 5-2 paid $6.80, $3.60 and $2.60.

Hayley's Halo had 2 3/4 lengths to spare over 8-5 favorite Queen Greeley (Mr.

Greeley), who was 14 1/2 lengths ahead of fourth-placer Tornado Betty (Comic

Strip). Pyrite on My Mind (Seattle Fitz [Arg]) and Ellafitz (Tiznow) rounded out

the order of finish.

Harissa, who was fourth in the Santa Ysabel S. (G3) in her only previous

stakes attempt, now sports a mark of 7-2-2-1, $174,520. Since that January 10

event, the bay has finished runner-up twice in allowance/optional claiming

company at Santa Anita. Run down late by Cozi Rosie (Pleasantly Perfect) on

February 4, Harissa was most recently a troubled second to Ellafitz on March 4.

Bred by Jeanne Bruce in Kentucky, Harissa brought $95,000 as a Keeneland

September yearling, then failed to reach her reserve when attracting a $195,000

bid as a Barretts Msrch two-year-old. She is out of stakes winner and multiple

Grade 3-placed Dynasty (Time for a Change), and notable family members include

1997 Derby (Eng-G1) hero, Benny the Dip (Silver Hawk).

While Harissa improved with the surface switch, Freedom Star repeated her

front-running performance in the March 6 Azeri S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park last out.

At Sunland, though, the Bob Baffert filly put up faster fractions under more

pressure. After negotiating her opening quarter in :23 3/5 beneath Martin

Garcia, the 1-2 favorite was pressed by Stormy Express (In Excess [Ire]) through

a half in :46 4/5.

Freedom Star disposed of that rival, but was then engaged by Prairie Charm

(Silver Charm) as she posted six furlongs in 1:11. Although Prairie Charm was

still fighting down the stretch, Freedom Star had too much class, striding clear

to complete one mile in 1:35 4/5. The popular winner returned $3, $2.20 and

$2.10.

A game Prairie Charm held second by a neck from Cherryblossommiss (Langfuhr).

A 4 3/4-length gap ensued to Steppin Out Rose (Out of Place) in fourth, followed

by More Accord (More Than Ready), Stormy Express and American Symphony (Exchange

Rate).

Freedom Star's resume now reads 10-5-0-1, $259,260. The bay opened her

four-year-old campaign with a third-place effort in the January 17 El Encino S.

(G2) and a fifth in the February 14 La Canada S. (G2), both over Santa Anita's

Pro-Ride.

Bred in Kentucky by Y. Kolybabiuk, Freedom Star sold to Krikorian for

$220,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. She is the first registered foal out

of multiple stakes winner Willie's Luv (Williamstown). Other stakes winners in

the family include Grade 2 victors Fortnightly (Dance Spell) and Ten Below

(Avatar) as well as Grade/Group 3 scorers American Freedom (Marquetry) and It's

Freezing (T. V. Commercial).