Star Devine Scores First Stakes Victory in Galway
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Star Devine wins the Galway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
Lawrence Goichman's Star Devine prevailed by a head in a blanket finish to notch her first black-type victory in the $120,000 Galway Stakes Aug. 15 at Saratoga Race Course.
After a brief delay when Dr B broke through the gate and was re-loaded, Star Devine was sent away from the outermost post in the field of 10 3-year-old fillies under John Velazquez. The daughter of Fastnet Rock stalked the pace in fifth as Wink set an opening quarter-mile in :22.13 on firm going in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint on the Mellon turf.
Out of the turn, Star Devine was kept four wide with Wink, Mischiefful , and Illegal Smile to her inside with the half in :45.20. After briefly running eye-to-eye with Mischiefful, Star Devine pulled away and gained on the pacesetter under Velazquez's right-handed encouragement.
Bye Bye made a strong bid up the rail and Illegal Smile, under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., challenged to the wire, but Star Devine outkicked her rivals to complete the distance in 1:02.37 for trainer Jorge Abreu.
"I had not much of a choice (but to go to the outside)," Velazquez said. "I tried to cover up behind Irad and he didn't go in there. Jorge said, 'I don't care where you are, I just don't want you on the lead.' We got a good post from the outside and I saved it for the end. That's the way it worked out."
Star Devine was off at 7-1 and paid $17 on a $2 win bet. She increased her career bankroll to $127,040 and has a 2-0-1 record in four starts.
"I thought she was going to come from a little bit off the pace, but she broke so sharply and Johnny just took advantage of it," Abreu said. "I knew she was going to run well. She was just looking for a little cut back. She's better going short than going long.
"I was a little concerned around the turn because I thought he was going to take her back and I thought, 'don't do that,' but then she kicked in again. He gave her a good ride."
Star Devine will now target the $500,000 Music City Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 12 at Kentucky Downs.
"We're going to go to Kentucky Downs," Abreu said. "I've had some good luck there and I like going there. We'll see how she comes out of it and that's where we'll aim."
Illegal Smile bested Bye Bye by a head to finish second. Mischiefful, Tuscan Queen , Alwayz Late , Wink, Goin' Good , Li'l Tootsie , and Dr B completed the order of finish. Also-eligible What a Trick and main-track-only entrant Summer Brew were scratched.
Star Devine was bred in Ireland by Rockhart Trading. She's out of the Galileo mare Stars At Night, a half sister to English and Irish classic-winning filly Blue Bunting . She has an unraced 2-year-old full brother named Poker Face (IRE) and a full yearling sister.
The Galway winner was purchased by agent Mike Ryan for $258,110 from consignor Marlhill House Stud at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.