Country Star sublime in Starlet

Stonerside Stable's homebred COUNTRY STAR (Empire Maker) left little doubt in

the stretch as to who was best on this day, as the juvenile filly streaked home

a comprehensive winner of the $425,500

Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) over the

Cushion Track on Saturday. Conditioned by Bobby Frankel and ridden by Rafael

Bejarano, the dark bay finished off 1 1/16 miles in a track record 1:40 2/5

en route to her second straight Grade 1 conquer. The superb Kentucky-bred was no

secret at the windows as she returned $4, $3 and $2.40 as the even-money

favorite.

Spritely (Touch Gold) from the inside and Time Reveals All (Pulpit) moved in

tandem on the front early, setting a swift tempo through splits of :23 1/5, :46

1/5 and 1:10 for the opening six panels. Time Reveals All held a head

lead at the top of the stretch, but it wouldn't last long as Bejarano had just

begun to urge his mount while four wide. The margin at the wire was 2 3/4

lengths, with the late-running Grace and Power (More Than Ready) rallying from

last to be a clear second. The runner-up was worth $9.20 and $5.60 and completed

the $19.50 exacta ($1) at 13-1. The Golden Noodle (D'wildcat) was next to last

after the opening three-quarters but closed well to gain third another two

lengths back. Sent off at 17-1, the third-placer gave back $4.80 while finishing

off the $175.30 trifecta ($1). Set Play (Van Nistelrooy) concluded the $801.10

superfecta ($1) (6-8-7-9) three lengths behind at 20-1.

Foxy Danseur (Mr. Greeley) was a neck back in fifth and trailed by Time

Reveals All, Sunday Geisha (Sunday Break [Jpn]), 3-1 second choice Grace Anatomy

(Aldebaran) and Spritely.

Country Star improved her mark to 3-2-1-0, $575,900. The lass captured the

Alcibiades S. (G1) in her most recent effort while breaking her maiden at the

same time. She is the third registered foal out of 2000 Ashland S. (G1) heroine

and Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Rings a Chime (Metfield), and has an unnamed

weanling half-brother by Storm Cat.