Hot Fourstar Crook continues streaking, wins Yaddo
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Fourstar Crook continued her rapid ascent in the New York-bred filly and mare turf division Friday at Saratoga, winning her fifth consecutive race and stakes debut in the $150,000 Yaddo.
Fourstar Crook's win streak dates to last October, when she won an open maiden race on the turf at Belmont Park. Prior to the Yaddo, she also had won a statebred allowance, a statebred optional-claimer, and an open allowance.
Following her statebred allowance last November, she was given a seven-month break before returning to the races in mid-June. Trainer Chad Brown said he sent her to Eisaman Equine in Ocala, Fla. for a break.
"There were no issues with her," Brown said. "We decided to give her some time with an eye to a 4-year-old campaign. She has come back bigger and stronger for us this year."
After breaking from the outside post in the 10-horse Yaddo, jockey Javier Castellano was unhurried while racing in mid-pack. Fourstar Crook began to advance on the far turn and came four wide into the stretch. She took the lead in midstretch and then held off runner-up Flipcup by three-quarters of a length.
Fourstar Crook paid $6.30 to win as the favorite. She was timed in 1:43.56 for 1 1/16 miles over the yielding course.
Flipcup, last early, rallied down the center of the course at 14-1 to be second by a neck over The Tea Cups - winner of last year's Yaddo.
The Tea Cups also rallied from far back and finished from well out in the course.
Fourstar Crook, who is owned by Michael Dubb and partners, was returning on 19 days' rest in the Yaddo, and had to draw into the race off the also-eligible list.
"When the opportunity came up to run, this was the logical spot for her," Brown said. "We'll give her more time now before we race her again."
Neck of the Moon, the 5-2 second choice who also is trained by Brown, raced in traffic on the far turn and into the stretch and finished fourth.