Stardom Bound Soars in Las Virgenes Stakes

by Patricia Woo | Feb 9 2009

Top billing for the $300,000 Las Virgenes Stakes on Feb. 7 went to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies champion Stardom Bound based on her outstanding 2-year-old year. And she did not disappoint, rallying from mid-pack as the field entered the stretch to capture her first win as a 3-year-old. Now, expectations are even higher for the gray filly as trainer Bobby Frankel will set his sights on the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 4 and Stardom Bound will get the chance to test her mettle against male horses for the first time.

With regular rider Mike Smith aboard, Stardom Bound again claimed victory at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., thanks to her explosive finishing kick. Last at the start of the 1-mile race and well behind the initially speedy pacesetter Pinkarella, Stardom Bound looked to be running her trademark race. But as she sought to move up on the tiring leaders along the rail, she ran into traffic at the 3/8th pole. Finally at the top of the lane, a gap opened up on the outside and she shot through without hesitation, easily overtaking Saucey Evening and Nan and holding off a late charge by Haka. Her margin of victory was 1 ¼ lengths and her winning time was of 1:36.43.

Smith took the less-than-ideal trip in stride, saying, "I was actually glad to be bottled up, because I didn't want to ask her to run too early. I figured if I stayed stuck, something would probably open up by the eighth pole. She accelerates so good, it's amazing."

Having proven her superiority against other female horses, Stardom Bound will now test her abilities against male horses, according to IEAH Stable co-president Michael Iavarone, in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 4. IEAH Stable purchased Stardom Bound in the November Fasig-Tipton sale for $5.7M. "I think that's what the racing fans want, to put her against the boys in the Santa Anita Derby," Iavarone said. And should Stardom Bound turn in another stellar performance, she may just be bound for the Kentucky Derby.

Also under the microscope at Santa Anita Park on Saturday was Pioneerof the Nile, running his first race of the year in the $200,000 Gr. 2 Robert Lewis Stakes. He, too, did not have an ideal trip, running into congestion as he entered the far turn.  But jockey Garrett Gomez quickly changed tactics, taking his mount wide at top of the stretch, where Pioneerof the Nile finally shook free of the pack and nipped longshot Papa Clem for the win.

And in other Kentucky Derby contender news, Friesen Fire proved his Lecomte Stakes win at Fair Grounds Racecourse in January was no fluke when he hit the wire first in the $200,000 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 7 also at Fair Grounds, ahead of race favorite Giant Oak who was hampered by traffic. Flying Pegasus, another top contender, was just caught in the stretch and finished second.

The field for the 135th Kentucky Derby is shaping up! Bet on horse racing at the Bodog Racebook.