Ancient Goddess scores first stakes in Star Shoot

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ancient Goddess, a 12-1 outsider from New York, edged out a troubled Brooklynsway in her first stakes score in $133,900 Star Shoot at Woodbine on Sunday.

Starless Night and the favored Spanish Pipedream duked it out on the front end through splits of 22.05 seconds and 45.13 in the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies.

Ancient Goddess bided her time at the rear of the field early under Luis Contreras and awaited room early in the stretch before splitting horses inside the eighth pole. Brooklynsway, who also lacked room, made the lead along the rail in the stretch before getting caught in the final strides by Ancient Goddess, who won by a nose in 1:10.19.

“The filly came here sharp and ready to run,” said Contreras. “She surprised me because it was her first time running on Polytrack, and she handled it like she has been here for a long time.”

Ancient Goddess, a French-bred trained by John Terranova, earned $75,000 for Sovereign Stable. She returned $27.20 to win.

Zia finished another length back in third. She was followed by Spanish Pipedream, Dixie Twist, Happy to Go, Galina Point, Starless Night, and Bossy.