Portside wins the 2011 Star Shoot Stakes

April 9, 2011

The $150,000 Star Shoot Stakes featured a field of six 3-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs over Woodbine's Polytrack surface on Saturday afternoon. Nina Fever was sent off as the 4-5 favorite off an allowance win over the Gulfstream turf, over 5-2 second choice Third Chance, fourth in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa last out, and 6-1 third choice Caribbean Lady, off her win in a Gulfstream allowance.

Nina Fever dueled with Third Chance through an opening quarter of 22.44, and the pair was joined by Caribbean Lady on the far turn through a half in 44.96 over the fast track. Entering the stretch, Nina Fever shook off her stalkers, opening up a 1 1/2 length lead at the 1/8 pole through 5 furlongs in 57.14, but Portside, last at the top of the stretch, came out 5 wide to pass tiring horses and closed with a rush to pass Nina Fever in the final strides to win by a neck in 1:10.09. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Miss Inclined third.

Results chart

Portside in the winner's circle

Winning jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson said, "She tried to outbreak the gate, and settled just as they sprung it. She settled into stride nicely, and I was happy where we were the first portion. I started asking her to pick it up at the 3/8 pole. We weren't closing into them too much, so I got a little worried. I thought we'd have to do some running, because Wesley Ward's horses are sharp and fit. She was true to her form, and punched on down the lane just fine."

Portside after the race

11-1 fifth choice Portside broke in air, settled last 4 lengths off the pace early, then rallied late to get the win. The Barbara Minshall trainee improved her record to 2 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third in 7 starts, earning $145,730 for owner Warren E. Byrne.
This was her first start for new trainer Minshall and new jockey Wilson; she originally raced under trainer Gary Contessa in New York.

Second place finisher Nina Fever

4-5 favorite Nina Fever set the pace under new jockey Patrick Husbands, took command into the stretch but failed to hold off the winner. She improved her record to 6 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third in 12 starts, earning $205,049 for owner-trainer Wesley Ward and co-owner Gatewood Bell.

10-1 fifth choice Miss Inclined stalked the pace in fifth just 2 lengths behind under new jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva, came out four wide for room but was blocked at the 3/16 pole, but got clear to get third beaten 1 1/2 lengths. The Malcolm Pierce trainee improved her record to 2 wins, 0 seconds, and 1 third in 6 starts, earning $66,360 for owner-breeder Mueller Thoroughbred Stable, Ltd.

Third place finisher Miss Inclined and fourth place finisher Caribbean Lady bumped each other during the stretch (center of photo). During the runout, jockey Eurico Da Silva aboard Miss Inclined punched Luis Contreras on Caribbean Lady earning a 3 day suspension and $1000 fine.