by Tom Law

Charles Cono’s Stardom Bound uncorked a powerful rally around the far turn and blew away the opposition in the stretch to all but cement champion two-year-old filly honors with a victory in the $1,832,000 Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Friday at the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita Park.

Just as she did in victories in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Oak Leaf (G1) Stakes, Stardom Bound and jockey Mike Smith spotted the opposition in the early stages and overpowered their rivals late to win by 1½ lengths over Dream Empress. The Kentucky-bred gray or roan Tapit filly completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.99.

“It’s like [Daily Racing Form columnist] Mike Watchmaker said a while back, it’s devastating to any of the other horses when she makes her run and goes by like that,” winning trainer Chris Paasch said.

The victory was Paasch’s first from three Breeders’ Cup starters. Smith picked up his 11th career Breeders’ Cup victory and added another when he guided unbeaten Zenyatta to a win in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic later on Friday’s card to tie Pat Day with 12 career Breeders’ Cup victories, three behind all-time leader Jerry Bailey. The victory also all but locked up the Eclipse Award for Stardom Bound, since 21 of the previous 24 winners of the Juvenile Fillies have won the title.

Paasch was quick to credit longtime owner and client Cono immediately after the race.

“Charles has been like a dad to me,” Paasch said. “He’s a guy who has started up billion-dollar companies yet he still lives in his same little house. I’m just so glad to be associated with him.”

Bred in Kentucky and purchased for $375,000 earlier this year at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March sale of selected two-year-olds in training, Stardom Bound has won three of five starts and earned $1,420,600. She is out of the Tarr Road mare My White Corvette.

Trainer Ken McPeek said he was pleased with the effort of Dream Empress, winner of the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) in her start prior to the Juvenile Fillies for owners Livin the Dream Racing.

“She ran well, I’m happy she ran well,” McPeek said. “The winner was obviously very impressive but we were definitely second best.”

Puglisi Racing’s Frizette Stakes (G1) winner Sky Diva won a photo with longshot Dave’s Revenge for third in her first start on a synthetic surface.

For a video replay of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, click here.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Tom Law is managing editor of Thoroughbred Times