Golden Gate Fields: Star Cross wins Forty-Niner

ALBANY, Calif. - Argentine-bred Star Cross ($15) scored his first U.S. victory in the $85,500 Forty-Niner Handicap at Golden Gate Fields.

Star Cross, 6, rain in blinkers for the first time and overcame trouble on the first turn to win the 1 1/16-mile race by one length over Truly a Judge in 1:42.26. Pacesetting favorite Long Gone Con, who grabbed a quarter coming out of the gate, was third, another three-quarters of a length back.

Star Cross, ridden by Frank Alvarado, was near the back of the pack in the field of 13 and steadied off heels into the first turn. He remained far back through the opening six furlongs but rallied five wide to get the victory.

Chris Vienna, who saddled Star Cross for his father, Darrell, said adding blinkers helped the horse.

The victory, Star Cross's seventh in 22 starts, increased his earnings to $158,299.