International Star, Stageplay Roll at FG

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's International Star got back to his winning ways Jan. 16 at the racetrack where he seemingly can't lose—Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.



The 4-year-old Fusaichi Pegasus   colt improved his record at Fair Grounds to a perfect four-for-four Saturday in the $75,000 Louisiana Stakes.



Under the guidance of jockey Miguel Mena—who also rode International Star to wins in last year's LeComte (gr. III), Risen Star (gr. II), and Louisiana Derby (gr. II)—the Mike Maker trainee swept five wide in the final turn after racing fifth through most of the 1 1/16-mile contest and finished 1 1/2-lengths ahead of favored Eagle. Ride On Curlin finished third, 6 1/4 lengths back. The winner hit the wire in 1:44.44 and paid $7.80 to win.



"Mike was telling me how good he was doing and he likes this racetrack," Mena said.



International Star was scratched from the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the morning of the Run for the Roses because of foot issues and returned for the Nov. 25 Zia Park Derby, where he set the pace and tired to finish fourth last time out.



"We're grateful he came out of that race well and performed liked we expected," Maker said of the colt, who pushed his earnings to more than $1.06 million with the Louisiana victory.



Also on the Fair Grounds card, heavily favored Stageplay ($3.20) prevailed in the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes, at mile and 70 yards, over a game Midnight On Oconee.

It was the second stakes win for the 3-year-old daughter of Curlin   trained by Steve Asmussen and she now has a 3-1-0 record in four starts, with her only blemish a second in the Golden Rod Stakes (gr. II) in November.