The 20th Running of the G1 Starlet
Saturday, December 10, 2022
LA Race #2 $300.000
2YO F 120 Lbs 11/16
Course Record-1:41.28 (Outward Bound-2014)
Stakes Record-1:41.49 (Snow Peak-2016)
In what was billed as a BC rematch, the top six finishers (Rabbit Bay, Calm Fury, Scarlett Dream, Gumption, and Syclone/Cold Storage) were all returning, it was Scarlett Dream that landed the decisive blow in Saturday’s G1 Starlet at LA. While Scarlett Dream appeared no worse for the wear in taking her second G1 on the season, her rivals from the BC struggled home 4th (Gumption), 5th (Syclone), 8th (Rabbit Bay), 10th (Calm Fury), and 11th (Cold Storage), respectively. Scarlett Dream completed the 8.5-furlongs in a sharp 1:41.75 to post an authoritative two-and-a-quarter length victory over a game Be Exceptional. The latter held off Empire Sunset for place honors after pressing the pace from the outset. Gumption duplicated her 4th in the BC and was three lengths back of the winner.
Breaking from the rail, Scarlett Dream sat in the pocket behind a four-way battle on the front end. The winner was just a shade over two lengths off of a 23.70 opening quarter split set by Calm Fury who took the first turn four wide after breaking alertly from gate 12. Rabbit Bay, the BC winner, was just inside of Calm Fury while Be Exceptional hugged the rail in the front-running quartet.
About midway down the backside, Scarlett Dream appeared ready for jockey L. Saez to pull the trigger and turn her loose. Rounding the far turn, Saez eased the Arindel-trainee out to about the three-path, but, sensing the moment wasn’t quite right, Scarlett Dream acquiesced to her rider’s wishes as she moved back behind cover on the rail. However, when Rabbit Bay vacated the three-path, Scarlett Dream made the decision to pounce.
Be Exceptional and Pinnacle Lea Party were head-bobbing for the lead after three-quarters went in 1:11.01 and their early company began to show the effects of their journey. Scarlett Dream put the leading duo under immediate pressure and took control just outside the furlong marker. Only the final margin was in doubt as Scarlett Dream powerfully came home to run her record to 6-4-0-1 and increase her bankroll to $929.400. Be Exceptional couldn’t offer much resistance for the winner; however, she did just enough late to hold off a rallying Empire Sunset for the runner-up spot. Gumption, widest of all through the final bend and the stretch, did well to secure 4th place.
Congratulations to Scarlett Dream and Arindel on their victory in Saturday’s G1 Starlet at LA!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
