by Mike Curry
Country Star solidified her status as one of the leaders of the juvenile filly division with a dominant 2 3/4-length romp in the $425,500 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Hollywood Park.
The Empire Maker filly rallied into contention with a sweeping move on the far turn and uncoiled an explosive turn of foot in the stretch to seize command.
Country Star accelerated clear in early stretch under jockey Rafael Bejarano and powered to victory in 1:40.54, a 1 1/16-mile track record for the Cushion Track surface at Hollywood Park. The previous record of 1:40.90 was set by Romance Is Diane on December 1.
After the race Bejarano was asked if she was a top contender for the 2008 Kentucky Oaks (G1).
"Oaks? She's going to be the next Kentucky Derby (G1) winner,” Bejarano said.
A Stonerside Stable homebred trained by Bobby Frankel, Country Star finished second in her career debut on September 20 on the turf at Belmont Park. She followed with a one-length win in the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) on October 5 at Keeneland Race Course.
"You can't even compare her win in Kentucky [Alcibiades Stakes] with this one,” Bejarano said. “There's no comparison. She's so much better now. You can place this filly anywhere you want. I tried not to use her early and to get her to relax like last time. I just followed the speed and when I got her in the clear, she just exploded.
Country Star likely would have been one of the favorites for the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on October 27 at Monmouth Park, but Frankel decided to bypass the race.
Country Star settled into a nice rhythm in fifth while Spritely and Time Reveals All dueled through an opening quarter in :23.38 and a half-mile in :46.25. Country Star powered into striking distance on the turn, and responded willingly when given her cue at the top of the stretch.
“It looked like asked her and she took off, and then he was pulling her up at the end,” said Frankel, who also trained 2004 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Empire Maker. “She's great to be around, easy to train, and she does everything 100%. This one might be something special.
Grace and Power closed from last of nine to finish second, two lengths clear of third-place finisher The Golden Noodle.
Kentucky-bred Country Star improved to two wins in three starts and boosted her bankroll to $575,900. She is out of the Grade 1-winning Metfield mare Rings a Chime.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor