Who's the Star, a 4-year-old son of Tonalist, lived up to his name once again in winning the $177,050 Autumn Stakes (G2) Sunday at Woodbine.
Trained by Mark Casse for owner M Racing Group LLC, Who's the Star came into the 1 1/16-mile main track race for 3-year-olds and up having notched two stakes scores in his past three races.
And while it didn't appear he would be able to pull the rabbit out of his hat this time, a little late race magic and a strong ride from Emma-Jayne Wilson added another stakes title to the bay's stat sheet.
Mighty Heart, Canada's two-time Horse of the Year (in both 2020 and 2021) was guided to the front into the first turn, followed by Treason, Harlan Estate and Money Printer, while Who's the Star sat last in the field of 10.
After taking his rivals through an opening quarter in :23.59, Mighty Heart was quickly engaged by Treason, who then struck front en route to a half reached in :46.78.
Treason and Mighty Heart continued their tete-a-tete into the turn for home with the former gaining the upper hand as the field straightened for home.
Midway down the lane, War Bomber came calling and wore down the leader, but was confronted soon after by Who's the Star, seventh at the stretch call and rolling.
At the wire, Who's the Star got up to record a half-length triumph in a time of 1:41.10 on the Tapeta. War Bomber was second, Novo Sol was third, and Treason fourth.
“Inside speed was playing, it's been playing good on the inside all week,” said Wilson, who was joined by her daughters, Avery and Grace, in the winner's circle. “But speed started to carry a lot more and I was a little bit concerned. But on paper, there was a lot of conflicting speed as well. When they cut the half in :46 and change, my guy's going to come running every time. He comes home fast, and he came home fast today.
“He's huge. He's not a small horse, so he takes a little bit to get his legs underneath him. Some horses, they can quicken really fast within two jumps, some horses quicken a little longer. He takes a little longer to get going, but when he does, that kick is vicious.”
It was Who's the Star's sixth lifetime win, accompanied by a second and two thirds from 16 starts.
Who's the Star, sent off as the 3-1 choice, paid $8.50 for the win. The gelding was bred in Kentucky by Oscar Penn and John R. Penn, who sold him to Golden Star Farm for $375,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September yearling sale. Produced by the Carson City mare Shine Forth, he has banked $331,431.
The post ‘That Kick Is Vicious’: Who’s The Star Unleashes Torrid Late Rally To Win Woodbine’s Autumn Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
