Starformer the one to catch in Sheepshead Bay

Mystical Star, controversially disqualified from third to eighth in last

year's Sheepshead Bay after breaking through the gate before the start, seeks to

snap a five-race losing skid. The 2012 New York heroine fell a neck short of

catching Starformer in the Long Island last November, and fell victim to a slow

pace in both the Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs and the Doubledogdare at

Keeneland in her two outings this year.

Strathnaver has transformed from a low-level handicap performer in Britain to

a graded stakes winner since her importation over the winter. Now residing in

the barn of Graham Motion, the Oasis Dream filly won at first asking for her new

trainer in a Gulfstream allowance, and then overcame a 13-length deficit to win

the 1 1/2-mile Bewitch at Keeneland going away by a length as an 18-1 longshot.

Hessonite, the New York-bred mare who turned in an explosive sixteenth-mile

burst to claim the Beaugay earlier this month, will attempt to win for the first

time beyond nine furlongs. The David Donk-trained daughter of Freud has won five

of nine over the Belmont lawn, though the Beaugay was her first ever success

against open stakes company.

Three of the top four finishers from the May 1 Owsley, a 1 1/4-mile overnight

stakes, return for the Sheepshead Bay. Julie's Love endured a pocket trip before

getting out and up by a half-length to post the 6-1 upset of that race, with

29-1 longshot Minakshi second in her U.S. debut. Fourth was Group 3 winner

Tannery, who has not placed in this country since a third in the Garden City for

three-year-olds last September.

The field is rounded out by Anjaz, a handicap performer in England who was

fourth in the Orchid at Gulfstream in her American bow.

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