Celebrity Star captures Sunrise; Little Alexis fourth

Little Alexis, Grade 1 stakes-placed as a 3-year-old last season, finished fourth as the 4-5 favorite in Sunday’s $60,000 Sunrise Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Second in the six-furlong Orange Blossom Handicap a month ago in her first start since running in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, Little Alexis never seriously threatened in the 6 1/2-furlong Sunrise. She sat in fifth for most of the race and passed just one horse, 32-1 outsider Little Tami, in the stretch.

Little Alexis finished 8 1/2 lengths behind Celebrity Star ($36.80), a 5-year-old mare who was still eligible for her second allowance condition. Celebrity Star, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione for trainer David Kassen, ran the distance in 1:16.12 while finishing 3 1/2 lengths clear of 2-1 second choice Best Behavior.

It was the first stakes win for Celebrity Star and Gaffalione, a five-pound apprentice who began his riding career at Gulfstream last September.

Kassen said Celebrity Star exceeded his expectations in the race and she probably was helped by the spacing of her races. She was making her first start since March 19.

“This filly runs well fresh,” he said. “I was surprised, really. I thought there were some pretty nice fillies in there, but she ran really well. I’m proud of her.”