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Star of Mystery shows star power in G3 Quick Call presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

by Christian Abdo

Godolphin’s British homebred Star of Mystery showed star power when beating the boys for the third time this year in Sunday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Quick Call presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a 5 1/2 furlong Mellon turf sprint for sophomores, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trainer Charlie Appleby entered the Kodiac bay in Friday’s Listed $150,000 Coronation Cup versus sophomore fillies at the same distance, but opted to run her against males again off a last-out third in the Grade 1 Jaipur presented by Resolute Racing on June 8 here. Star of Mystery beat males when capturing the Al Wasl in her seasonal debut and the Group 2 Blue Point Sprint versus elders, both in January at Meydan Racecourse.

Chris Connett, assistant to Appleby, said that Star of Mystery was much more relaxed today than before her last effort where she was fractious approaching the gate under returning jockey Flavien Prat.

"It's a big thing for these European horses coming over here. Their first runs can be a little bit intense for them, but that's why Charlie picks the horses he does and they do acclimatize themselves really well,” said Connett. “She comes alive when the gates open though and she sure finished off really nicely.”

Star of Mystery broke alertly from post 5 as the Irad Ortiz, Jr.-piloted No Nay Mets, who stumbled at the break of the Grade 1 Jaipur last-out, shot to the front from post 1. Star of Mystery settled in fifth position to the outside of Smokey Smokey, sitting well off the pace set by No Nay Mets with Mansa Musa and Set in behind him through an opening quarter-mile in 21.16 seconds over the firm turf.

A free-wheeling No Nay Mets continued to lead through the turn with the order remaining unchanged behind, but Prat tipped Star of Mystery out to make her run as the half-mile elapsed in 43.90.

“I was good with the position. She jumped forward where I wasn’t going to be too far back. She was traveling well all the way around,” said Prat. “When I tipped her out, she just ran very well. She gave me a good kick.”

Entering the stretch, a tiring No Nay Mets retreated and the Junior Alvarado-piloted Mansa Musa assumed command but not for long as Star of Mystery gobbled up ground down the center of the course while the 2-for-3 Fandom looked to close from sixth position.

Star of Mystery, the field’s lone filly, put a head in front of Mansa Musa at the stretch call and when asked by Prat, she kicked on impressively to win by 1 1/2-lengths over Mansa Musa in a final time of 1:00.97.

Fandom and American Rascal, both campaigned by Stonestreet Stables, got up from the back of the field for third and fourth, respectively. Smokey Smokey, Set, and No Nay Mets completed the order of finish.

Apollo Ten and Feltrinelli were scratched in favor of the My Frenchman at Monmouth Park, winning and finishing fourth, respectively. Main track-only entrants Baraye and Works for Me were also scratched.

Connett said that runner-up efforts against males at Meydan Racecourse in March in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint and the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint showed Star of Mystery's potential. He added that she ran into a tough foe last-out when Cogburn set a track and North American of 59.80 in the 5 1/2-furlong Jaipur.

"Her form in Dubai was really strong... that gives you confidence to come over here,” said Connett. “She ran really well [in the Jaipur]. Obviously, the horse that won the race broke the track record and was a step out. But she belongs in that kind of category and a drop down in grade today hopefully gives her a confidence builder and we'll speak to Charlie and see where he wants to put her in next.”

Prat, winning jockey of Friday’s Wilton with Miss Justify and yesterday’s Grade 1 Diana with Whitebeam, finished Opening Week at Saratoga as leading rider with seven wins. He said the filly was much more relaxed prior to her second stateside outing.

“She was a handful last time, so I took my time and we went straight behind the gate and she just switched off so nice,” said Prat. “I was a bit worried she was going to sleep, but she was just an old pro today.”

Alvarado said the Hall of Famer Bill Mott-trained Mansa Musa was game in defeat to a formidable foe.

"When we turned for home, I tipped him out and he was there for me; he ran very well. We caught a monster today. We got second best today, nothing to be ashamed of,” said Alvarado. “I got to the wire and my horse was running all out, the other one was probably just the best horse today."

Out of the Shamardal mare Mistrusting, Star of Mystery is a half-sister to the Appleby-trained 2021 Grade 1 Just a Game and Grade 1 Diana winner Althiqa. She returned $3.30 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite, while improving her record to 11-5-4-1 and banking $96,250 in victory.

Live racing resumes Wednesday with a nine-race program that features the Grade 1, $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase [Race 1] and the $150,000 Statue of Liberty division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series [Race 8]. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.