Mystical Star hold on for victory

Cheyenne Stables' Mystical Star registered her first stakes victory against a strong field Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 New York over 1 1/4 miles of Belmont Park's firm inner turf. Seizing control with about six furlongs remaining, Mystical Star found another gear in the stretch and outkicked Hit It Rich and then 9-5 favorite Aruna to win by a length as the 9-2 fourth choice in a field of six fillies and mares. She paid $11.80, $4.90 and $3.20.

The Underling, a 64-1 outsider, jumped out to an early two-length advantage through a quarter in :23 3/5, but was overtaken by the eventual winner entering the backstretch. Mystical Star, ridden by Jose Lezcano, went on to reel off fractions of :48 4/5, 1:13, 1:36 4/5, and finished up 10 furlongs in 2:00.

Aruna, no more than 4 1/2 lengths from the lead while trailing down the backside, put in a good run in the stretch, but was second best by a half-length over Hit It Rich, who chased Mystical Star most of the way and also failed to deliver an adequate kick. Completing the order of finish were Principal Role, multiple Group 2-winning European import Banimpire, and The Underling. Acting Happy, a main-track-only entrant, was scratched.

Bred in Kentucky by W.G. Lyster III and Green Lantern Stables, Mystical Star won at first asking in January 2011 and then came back to run second in the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride in her next start. Unsuccessful in two subsequent stakes appearances last year, she managed to win two allowances before contesting the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay on May 26. After crossing the wire in third to Aruna and Hit It Rich, she was demoted to eighth after it was determined she broke the gate before the start. Her record now stands at 8-4-1-0, $247,632.

"She's obviously a top-class filly, and provided she comes out of the race well we'll have to think about the Beverly D. [at Arlington Park on August 18]," winning trainer Christophe Clement said. "She was very nice last year, but then her form went down. She was not quite as sound, so we gave her time and came back with her. She came back better than ever."

A daughter of Ghostzapper, Mystical Star was produced by the unraced Capote mare Capture a Star, and sold for $45,000 at Keeneland September. Her second dam was Grade 2 winner Degenerate Gal, who also produced Grade 3 vixen Positive Gal.

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